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Uganda extends coronavirus lockdown until May 5

Apr 14, 2020

"We are doing this in order to give ourselves more time to study the situation for a longer period," President Museveni says of the extension (April 15 to May 5).

BATTLING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

By Joseph Kizza

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Twitter: @joekizza

(Scroll down the page for earlier updates)

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4:00pm  |  And its a wrap! Good evening

OK, that's all for today's live coverage. Thanks for sticking along. Many of you saw the lockdown extension coming - and it has come to pass.

If you ask me, it is a wise move. It is more realistic that way. Yes, it definitely comes with its own set of challenges, but it is for the good of all of us in the long run. And, it is happening not only here in Uganda, but in many other parts of the world. You may beg to differ here - you have all the right to do so, and I respect that.

For now, let's hang in there and hopeful, we will see out this crisis and get back to our normal lives.

Wishing you all a good evening and stay safe!

medical technician gestures at a 19 testing and sample collection centre in hennai ndia A medical technician gestures at a COVID-19 testing and sample collection centre in Chennai, India



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3:57pm  |  Another victory: One discharged in Adjumani

Meanwhile, a little while ago, the health ministry announced that one person who was positive of coronavirus has been discharged from Adjumani Hospital in northern Uganda following 14 days of fruitful treatment. This was the only COVID-19 patient at the facility.

This brings to eight the total number of recoveries in Uganda.

The cumulative confirmed number of COVID-19 cases stands at 54. With eight recoveries thus far, the remaining 46 active coronavirus cases are in Mulago, Entebbe Grade B and Hoima hospitals.


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3:55pm  |  President Museveni's address in full

The President is done with his address to the nation. If you are interested, you can read it in full HERE.


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3:44pm  |  On Ugandan students in China

"If it can be done safely, we can airlift them and put them under quarantine and check them. The Prime Minister (Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda) will take it up with the foreign affairs minister (Sam Kutesa)," says President Museveni.


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3:35pm  |  Attacking security forces

In a related development, the UPDF spokesperson Brig. Richard Karemire posted pictures of a new army vehicle damaged by "elements disobeying curfew rules".

 
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3:30pm  |  On civilians attacking soldiers

The commanders need to brief their soldiers on that they should do and what they shouldn't do, says Museveni.

He particularly salutes the soldier who had his eye gouged out by a civilian by not retaliating with armed fire.

"You can see how professional our forces are," he says.

The UPDF soldier in question is Pte. Alex Niwanyine, who was attacked in Bibia Municipality in Amuru district, northern Uganda, while enforcing the coronavirus lockdown curfew.

He first received treatment at Gulu Hospital, before being later flown to Bombo Military Hospital for further attention.



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3:27pm  |  On loan repayment concerns

The President responds to people's concerns on loan repayment.

"Definitely, we are going to discuss with the banks. I cannot support that banks confiscate their property. They should see a way of stretching out that loan repayment period.

"They should be realistic, as they can also see what is happening now," he says.


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3:23pm  |  President to get donations update after two days

Minister in charge of General Duties Mary Karooro Okurut is leading the Donations Fund team, who are tasked with receiving the contributions to the coronavirus efforts under the Office of the Prime Minister.

She assures the President that they will be updating him every after two days, and Museveni responds that "I will be happy to read them out".


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3:17pm  |  Donating to a unified cause

Various entities and individuals have thrown their weight behind Government's efforts to deal with the coronavirus crisis.


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3:10pm  |  Museveni thanks contributors to cause

Next up, the President reads out the donations to coronavirus relief efforts.

It is a long list, by the way.

I cannot keep up with the President's reading pace, but he has particularly thanked the boda boda rider who donated sh10,000 to the national cause.

Donations by Kabaka Mutebi (sh100m), Bunyoro kingdom, Japan Motors (pledge of eight vehicles), Pakistan community (one ambulance) and Government of India (one ambulance) feature on this long list demonstrating human generority in a time of such wide-scale crisis.

"I thank these contributors so much. I want to create a fleet of 1,300 vehicles to be used for this crisis and even after - 10 vehicles per district," says the President.

 
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3:02pm  |  Museveni salutes medics for 'commendable work'

The President is keen to hail the efforts of the medical workers across the country for the "commendable work"  and for their "professionalism" during this difficult time.

He adds that by May 5, "we shall have a clearer picture [of the coronavirus situation] and that the restrictions shall be carried out systematically".

"We shall have to work out a systematic plan of how to bring everything back to normal. We could start with, say, lifting the ban on public transport. Because we cannot open the schools when public transport is suspended," underlines the President.

positive 19 serological test is pictured at a laboratory in olmar eastern rance A positive COVID-19 serological test is pictured at a laboratory in Colmar, eastern France

 

By AFP:

The worldwide death toll from the novel coronavirus pandemic rose to 120,013 on Tuesday, according to a tally compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT (2pm Ugandan time) from official sources.

More than 1,923,390 declared cases have been registered in 193 countries and territories since the epidemic first emerged in China in December. Of these cases, at least 411,500 are now considered recovered.

The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections.

Many countries are testing only the most serious cases.

In the United States, now the epicentre of the pandemic, the death toll stands at 23,649 with 582,594 infections. At least 44,308 patients have recovered.

Italy is the second worst-hit country with 20,465 deaths from 159,516 infections.

It is followed by Spain with 18,056 fatalities from 172,541 confirmed infections, France with 14,967 deaths and 136,779 infections and Britain with 11,329 deaths from 88,621 cases.

China -- excluding Hong Kong and Macau -- has to date declared 3,341 deaths and 82,249 cases including 89 new ones, with 77,738 recoveries.

Europe has listed 973,087 cases and 81,474 deaths to date, the US and Canada together have 608,274 cases with 24,482 deaths, Asia 144,057 cases with 5,136 deaths, the Middle East 105,246 cases with 5,018 deaths, Latin America and the Caribbean 69,749 cases with 2,991 deaths, Africa 15,376 cases with 835 deaths and Oceania 7,601 cases with 77 deaths.


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2:55pm  |  On relief food distribution

The President clarifies on the food being distributed to the vulnerable people in Kampala and Wakiso who have been directly affected by the coronavirus lockdown.

The qualifications for this category of people are two: One, if you are depending on daily earnings from an activity that was suspended due to the lockdown. Two, if you do not grow your own food.

Museveni says these people that fall under these categories are those working in hair salons, night garages, bars, etc.

But the free food is not for salary earners. "If you are getting a monthly salary, please wait for your salary," he urges.


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2:47pm  |  Museveni on lockdown extension: 'Let's be patient'

"For now, let us keep quiet for another 21 days. Let's be patient and wait and see. If nothing happens by that time, we shall know we tried our best," says President Museveni.

He urges the citizens to continue observing the current measures, and particularly warns youths against loitering in trading centres and instead engage in such developmental activities as farming.

Museveni also vehemently warns civilians, especially those in rural settings, against attacking security forces.

 
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2:40pm  |  Asymptomatic individuals a problem

One the justifications for the lockdown extension is the possible existence of asymptomatic individuals (one who does not show signs), says Museveni.

He calls them the "silent carriers". That they can infect others for at least 34 days.

Nigeria is another African country that has extended its lockdown.

Announcing the 14-day extension on Monday, President Muhammadu Buhari said had become "necessary to extend the current restriction of movement".

 
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2:29pm  |  GOVERNMENT EXTENDS CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN

The government has decided to extend the coronavirus lockdown by 21 days - from April 15 until May 5.

"We are doing this in order to give ourselves more time to study the situation for a longer period," says the President.

He adds that all the measures that have been in place to deal with the spread of the deadly virus will remain in force during the period of extension.


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2:25pm  |  372 drivers tested at Malaba were all negative

"We are still trying to trace the 18,000 who entered Uganda through Entebbe International Airport between March 7 and March 22," says the President.

One threat is corruption at the border points, says Museveni, who adds that he is to instruct orr counter-intelligence efforts in our forces. Anyone found will be charged with attempted murder or murder.

Crews of cargo planes will be kept in designated hotels. Medical personnel will be equipped with protective gear.

 
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2:19pm  |  372 drivers tested at Malaba were all negative

Following the domestic testing, the health officials started to test the inter-state cargo transport drivers.

On Monday, the President says, 372 drivers were tested at the Malaba entry point. All these were found to be negative of the coronavirus.


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2:14pm  |  The statistics - 54 out of 5,664 tested were positive

The President says that out of 5,664 persons tested in Uganda, 54 have been found to be positive. As many as 4,015 were returnees - coming back to Uganda from abroad, 1,232 were those who interacted with the returnees (contacts) and 402 were those who had not been in contact with the returnees or travelled out, but because they got some symptoms, they reached out to the health officials to be tested (alert individuals).

 
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1:55pm  |  Sleeping at the market: 'I am impressed'

The President says he is still impressed by the picture of the traders sleeping at the market following his directive that vendors working in city markets should not return home but instead camp at the market or nearby places. This measure was to prevent the risk of them potentially infecting their families back home in case they got infected from the market place.

He urges the health ministry to provide them treated bed nets (which they have done) to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes and also fumigate the market places to keep vermin at bay.

Recently, the ministry said it would distribute prophylaxis anti-malaria drugs to market vendors.


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1:47pm  |  Top officials attending the address

A number of top government officials are attending in person the presidential address at Nakasero.

Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda is around. He is leading the coronavirus national taskforce. Minister in charge of General Dutie Mary Karooro Okurut is leading the team charged with receiving donations in the Office of the Prime Minister. She is also at Nakasero.

Health minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng is also in attendance, as is the Minister for the Presidency Esther Mbayo.

Security chiefs Gen. David Muhoozi (CDF) and Martin Okoth Ochola (IGP) are also around.

 
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1:40pm  |  'Carelessness of Ugandans a factor

Given the characteristics of the coronavirus, the President says he has come to believe that "carelessness of Ugandans is the main cause of the spread of the virus".

He was recently told that the virus seems not to do well in the tropics, where Uganda is located, and that apparently, it instead thrives in cold climate areas (Europe, USA and northern Asia) - which could be pointed to the many deaths that have occured in these areas.

The lifestyle of the Western and Oriental worlds makes them prone to attack by the virus, adds Museveni.

After analysis, one major way of controlling the spread of the virus was to disperse the large concentrations of people to deny the virus room to thrive, hence the series of nationwide measures enforced, says the President.

The measures included  the closure of all education institutions and suspension of public transport in Uganda. Social activities, including sports, were also suspended, as were monthly cattle markets.


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1:29pm  |  'Coronavirus can be stopped by us'

"This virus can be stopped by us - by behaviour - as we wait for a vaccine," reiterates President Museveni.

 

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1:25pm  |  'I sanitized my Bible'

The President has started off by reminding the nation how the novel coronavirus is transmitted, something he has been keen to do in all his addresses on the COVID-19 situation.

He talks of sneezing and coughing by infected people around other people. It is also spread when an infected person touches surfaces and a victim also touches the same surface and then touches him/herself in "a few sensitive" parts of the body (mouth, eyes, nose).

In fact, Museveni says he also takes caution. "The other day, I sanitized my Bible and I am sure God was happy with me."


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1:15pm  |  President Museveni addresses the nation

There is no power across the country but we shall get under way - somehow.

The President is speaking from State House Nakasero.

 
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1:10pm  |  Power outage: 'We told you'

Recently, Vision Group ran a campaign to save the under-threat Lake Victoria. The media organisation's chief executive Robert Kabushenga is drawing from that coverage to underline what is happening at the moment.

"We told you about the abuse of Lake Victoria, we were ignored and even dismissed as exaggerating the damage to it," reads part of his tweet.


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1:03pm  |  Do you have power?

Not in the political context, though.

As the President gets set to address us, there is a subplot that has come into the mix, with a lot of the attention quickly turning to the current nationwide power outage.


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12:44pm  |  On countrywide loadshedding

Theese are the times those of you with solar power have an enviable edge over many of us who depend on the national grid.

Turns out the power outage is due to water weeds. But good enough, it is being handled, and the President's senior press secretary Don Wanyama has asked us to exercise patience.


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12:33pm  |  'This is very impressive'

As most of us wait for power to 'pop' back, Uganda is receiving praise for its efforts in curbing the spread of the coronavirus.

No coronavirus-related death registered in the country thus far.


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12:18pm  |  Museveni's address moved to 1pm

Hold it right there. The President's address has been pushed to 1pm from the earlier communicated midday.


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11:56am  |  President set to address the nation

President Museveni will be guiding us on what next after the current lockdown expires tonight.


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11:50am  |  A meeting to envoys . . .

. . .  to address the situation of Africans in Guangzhou.


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11:47am  |  'China protects everyone equally'

It is all about sticking together in the era of social distancing.


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11:35am  |  Government speaks out on Ugandans in China

Minister Kutesa says he has met with the Chinese ambassador to Uganda Zheng Zhuqiang, who he says has acknowledged the concerns coming through from China.

One of the issues that the meeting between Uganda and China established was the failure in communication amongst the local governments of China on how to handle the situation.

The two nations, therefore, agreed to establish an "effective communication mechanism" to ensure that the concerns are carried out "amicably".

It was also agreed that the Chinese government provides accommodation to Ugandans who are awaiting extension of their visas. Another resolution was no targeted evictions by landlords and no discrimination in access to crucial facilities such as hospitals, restaurants and malls.

"We are pleased with the outcome of our engagements," says Kutesa, adding that he felt it necessary to come out on what the Government is doing to protect particularly its citizens living in China.

Crucially, he advised Ugandans in China to remain where they are and will be assisted there. But they should register with Uganda's mission and consulate.

"Our position has been that Ugandans stay where they are so that they can be assisted - the reason is that airlines have closed, so even if you have money to leave China, you would not be able to fly back into Uganda. Our appeal is that let us assist them where they are until the situation normalises," says Kutesa.

"But we are asking you to register with our consulate in Guangzhou and our mission in Beijing [China's capital] so that your status is known and you can be assisted accordingly."

From the meeting, China agreed to take action on anyone found guilty of discrimination and xenophobic attacks.


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11:30am  |  Government speaks out on Ugandans in China

Uganda's foreign affairs minister has come to relay Government's position on its citizens in China following widespread reports of Ugandans and Africans there.

"We are in close contact with our mission in Beijing and our consulate in Guangzhou," Kutesa tells reporters in Kampala.

He says that while some Ugandans in China are there with proper working permits and visas, others who were were there for business trips and caught up by the coronavirus lockdown had their visas expire while there.

Following discussions with the Chinese government, Kutesa says they have agreed to have the visas of that category of people extended for two months.

He also reveals that some Ugandans are living underground in China and were left stranded during the lockdown - with no money and food - because of having no valid documentation. Those, he says, are the ones being seen on the streets appearing destitute.

But even still, Uganda has asked China to help them during this time of crisis.

 

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11:12am  |  Government speaks out on Ugandans in China

Foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa has just addressed a press conference in Kampala about the steps the Ugandan government has taken to protect its citizens in China and the engagements with the Chinese government.

Details on this coming . . .


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11:05am  |  BREAKING NEWS: Former security minister Tumukunde denied bail

A little away from coronavirus . . .


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10:55am  |  Coronavirus: Latest global developments

 

While some nations have extended their lockdown, a few others have eased restrictions. Which direction will Uganda take? Since we still have people here in Uganda that are being treated of the virus, I am thinking President Museveni will extend the lockdown, if you asked me.

Meanwhile, what's happening beyond our borders? News agency AFP gives the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:

French lockdown extended

President Emmanuel Macron announces that France's lockdown will be extended to May 11.

He acknowledges that the country was not prepared for a crisis that has killed nearly 15,000 people in the country.

Nigeria extends lockdown

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari announces a two-week extension to a lockdown in largest city Lagos, neighbouring Ogun state and capital Abuja.

 

White House ridicules talk of firing health chief

The White House dismisses speculation that President Donald Trump wants to fire coronavirus pointman Anthony Fauci as "ridiculous".

Rumours began circulating on Sunday after Trump retweeted criticism of Fauci with the hashtag #FireFauci.

Spain eases lockdown

Spain reopens parts of its economy, with some factory and construction staff returning to work within strict safety guidelines.

But Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warns Spain is "far from victory" and lockdown restrictions in place since March 14 remain for much of the nation's 47 million people.

More than 117,000 dead worldwide

At least 117,752 people have died worldwide from the coronavirus in 193 countries and territories, according to an AFP tally around 1900 GMT Monday based on official sources.

There have been 1,889,410 reported infections since the virus emerged in China in December.

The United States has the most deaths of any country with 22,935. It also has the highest number of reported infections with 568,176.

Italy has 20,465 deaths, Spain 17,489, France 14,967 and Britain 11,329.

 

New rise of infections in China

Officials in China report 108 new cases, 98 of which came in from abroad, the country's highest number of confirmed infections in a single day in more than a month.

Oil rally fizzles

An oil price rally sparked by an international deal to slash production fizzles out, with traders doubtful the agreement will help shore up energy markets.

Moscow's digital travel passes

Moscow authorities launch a digital permit system to control people's movements.

A website to apply for the passes launches on Monday for people travelling by car or public transport and the permit system will be operational from Wednesday.

US eyes gradual reopening in May

The US government's top infectious diseases expert Anthony Fauci says parts of the country could begin easing restrictions in May, but remains cautious.

South Korean firms will make their first shipment of tests to the US this week after a request by US President Donald Trump.

Turkey rejects minister resignation

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announces a fresh lockdown for the coming weekend in a bid to stop people tempted by spring weather from leaving their homes.

 

Ecuador chaos

Ecuador says police have removed some 800 bodies in recent weeks from homes in the port city of Guayaquil, the epicentre of the country's outbreak, after the disease overwhelmed emergency services, hospitals and funeral parlours.

Hidden victims

Pope Francis, in his livestreamed Easter Monday prayer, expresses concern for the growing number of women subjected to domestic abuse while living under lockdown.


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10:40am  |  Relief food distribution continues

Government is distributing food to vulnerable people in Kampala and Wakiso districts who have been seriously affected by the coronavirus lockdown.

The minister of state for ICT Patrick Ogwang was tasked by President Museveni with heading the food distribution taskforce in Makindye Division. As early as 7am Tuesday, Ogwang and co had already set foot at Katwe grounds to get the food distribution exercise under way.


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10:32am  |  Coronavirus in Uganda: What we know so far

On Monday, 639 samples tested negative for the novel coronavirus, the health ministry said.

Here is a summary of the coronavirus situation in Uganda updated by the health ministry:

• Confirmed cases of COVID-19 stand at 54 in Uganda
• Seven recoveries
• 231 individuals under institutional quarantine
• 1,302 cumulative contacts were listed
• 573 contacts to confirmed cases have completed 14 days followup
• 729 contacts to confirmed cases are currently under followup
• A cumulative of 5,664 samples have been tested


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10:23am  |  Exercise indoors

So, until the President has told us what to do next after today, we have to stick to the current measures - which, of course, are still in force until midnight.

As already directed, don't exercise in public. Do that at your home, like 18-year-old professional boxer Paul, who has been training alone at home in Naguru, the birth place for most of Uganda's boxing champions.

The other day, President Museveni demonstrated how you can keep fit indoors. Check it out HERE.

 

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10:17am  |  Current lockdown ends tonight. But what next?

The current nationwide lockdown effectively comes to an end tonight at midnight. According to President Yoweri Museveni's senior press secretary Don Wanyama, some people "hadn't gotten this clearly" and in his tweet clarifying this, he urged everyone to wait for the President's guidance to the nation on what next.



Museveni is expected to address the nation today at midday.

 

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10:09am  |  Adjustments in times of abnormalcy

Uganda, like other countries around the world, has had to make several adjustments to life as we know it in the age of social distancing and confinement due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Even the usually crowded street food markets had to comply with social distancing directives to curb the spread of the virus that has taken the world by storm.

 
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10:00am  |  Good morning

Hello and welcome back from the strangest Easter I have ever experienced. I am sure you share similar sentiments.

Church doors remained closed to a locked down Christian world due to the coronavirus pandemic. In fact, Pope Francis led 1.3 billion Catholics in Easter Sunday celebrations virtually.

In the photo below released by the Vatican Media, the pontiff is seen delivering his blessing from the window of the Apostolic palace after giving his message during a private Angelus prayer live broadcast from the palace's library in the Vatican on Easter Monday.

 

You could say the deadly coronavirus has turned the world upside-down, and the virtual prayers by the Pope is just the most vivid example of religious improvisation in the age of social distancing and confinement due to the pandemic. 

And just like many of us, even Pope Francis admitted he is struggling to make sense of these extraordinary times.

 

Meanwhile, in Uganda, Christians attended Easter prayers from their homes via TV and radio. Others followed proceedings online.

In the capital Kampala, Matthew Ceaser led his family through prayers to celebrate Easter Sunday at home.

 



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