'COVID-19 tests forcing people to use illegal entry points'

HEALTH|COVID-19|ILLEGAL ENTRIES

MUTUKULA - The current COVID-19 testing fees are forcing people to sneak into the country through porous borders in order to avoid paying what they call exorbitant fees.

The Mutukula immigration authorities said the number of people using illegal entry points is gradually increasing.

Peter Magara, the Mutukula immigration officer, told New Vision that the majority of people returning to Uganda often complain about what they call the expensive COVID-19 testing fees.

He added that they are struggling to convince people to pay for the test, but some do not comply.

In August, the Government, through the Ministry of Health, introduced the COVID-19 testing fees of $65 (approximately sh240,500).

Although the fees were slashed last month to $50 (sh185,000), Magara said travellers, truck drivers, and foreign students still say it is too high for them.

Magara said such growing tendencies were putting Uganda at the risk of getting more infections since Tanzania does not observe any COVID-19 standard operating procedures.

He noted that they are working with security officials to monitor the porous borders.

Through their intelligence network, he added, they have been able to arrest some culprits. "We have informers along the road, porous borders, and across the borders who report to us," he said.

Now that the number of people entering Uganda is increasing gradually, Magara said they are more alert.

Community Members, Ugandans operating small businesses in the no man's land in Tanzania said they rather use other avenues to sneak into the country, rather than paying the $50, which they argued, can be used to restock their businesses.

Simon Kakande, a matooke trader, said people usually prefer using the porous borders because they find it easier to bribe the security they find patrolling the borders.

"For example, a truck driver may pay the sh184,000, but his certificate may expire within two weeks in just one route, which is unfair.

That is why they chose to use other ways to reduce the financial burden," he said.

He noted that there are some people who directly use the help of border security officers to avoid paying for the test.

Joram Kanyambaho, another trader, appealed to the Ministry of Health to reduce the testing fees to at least sh30,000, which they say is affordable.

However, Medard Nabimanya, the border security officer, said those who are arrested are brought back and tested.

Those who are found negative are left to go, while those found positive for COVID-19 are referred to the Masaka treatment centre.

Maj. David Matovu, the Kyotera Resident District Commissioner, said he is working with the army to intensify operations along the porous borders.

The COVID-19 testing fees were introduced for people seeking the services, including individuals seeking to know their status and truck drivers at all points of entry.

Others are people seeking COVID-19 certificates for international travel, Ugandans, and visitors from abroad, government and private organisations wishing to test their staff. 

People traffic increases 

New Vision has learnt that the Mutukula immigration currently receives an average of 120 to 150 people every day since the border re-opened on October 1.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Peter Magara, the officer in charge of immigration at Mutukula, explained that they handled an average of 300 people daily.

But the number declined when the Government announced a lockdown, closing all entry points.

"When the border reopened, the number of foreign students who are coming back for studies, truck drivers and tourists, is gradually increasing," he said.