COVID-19: Authorities tracking positive Tanzanian driver
The ministry said although the truck driver who arrived at the border from Dar Es Salaam did not show any symptoms of the virus, he tested positive.
Authorities in Uganda are tracking a Tanzanian driver who tested positive for COVID-19 at the common border point of Mutukula.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Health on Friday night said a 34-year-old Tanzanian truck driver was tested and his results came out positive.
"Efforts are underway to track the driver and return him to Tanzania," the ministry said.
The ministry said although the truck driver who arrived at the border from Dar Es Salaam did not show any symptoms of the virus, he tested positive.
"The Ministry of Health confirms one new COVID-19 case of the 744 samples tested among truck drivers at border points of entry," the statement from the ministry said.
"A further 376 samples from individuals under institutional quarantine and contacts in the country tested were all negative," the ministry added.
A total of 1,120 samples were tested on Friday, the ministry said.
"This corrects the earlier information sent on social media that the positive case was from the community," the ministry clarified.
President Yoweri Museveni on Tuesday announced that the frontline for COVID-19 was shifting to the border points, with the main target being the cargo transporters.
He said the transporters should be tested and allowed to proceed as they waited for the results to come out.
The President added that this group of people should not be allowed to interact with the community but should live at designated places.
Museveni said the same should apply to air, water and railway cargo crew members.
The Government was for instance able to trace two truck drivers who tested positive to the virus earlier this week.
Uganda has so far registered 55 COVID-19 cases, with no single death.