President Museveni of Uganda has partially opened up the country, after a second COVID19 lockdown in this African country:

30 July, 2021

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. PHOTO/PPU

 

Tensions had started mounting in the capital, Kampala, with some people vowing to march to State House in protest of lockdown, further accusing the state of fronting wrong agenda.  

‘‘A sharp fall in hospital Covid-19 patient admissions from over 1,000 in early June to just over 600 ending July,’’ the president says was enhanced by a stricter lockdown.

Under the new directives, public transport means including taxis are allowed to resume operations starting August 2 with a stringent 50 per cent passenger limit.

Addressing the nation July 30, at State House Nakasero, Mr Museveni said civil Standard Operating Measures (SOPs) obedience in disciplines allowed to operate will be reviewed after two weeks. 

New guidelines- Wrap

  • Curfew time maintained at 7pm-5am
  • Boda-Bodas allowed to operate up to 6pm, with only one passenger.
  • Opening disciplines must strictly observe SOPs
  • Kikuubo to open but all kiosks must be removed. Road side vending around Kikuubo barred.
  • Malls, arcades and business centres re-open conditionally
  • Burials and weddings regulated to 20 people
  • Worship and prayer hubs to stay closed until after a 60-day review
  • Outdoor sporting events allowed under strict SOPs
  • Games, betting, casinos, cinema halls, concerts still prohibited 
  • Restaurants, saloons stay open
  • Saunas and steam bath venues stay closed
  • Schools remain closed until after sufficient vaccination is done
  • Ministry of health should consider reopening health training institutions
  • Cap on office workspace workers' prence edged up from 10 to 20
  • Private vehicles can move with a maximum of 3 people  
  • Airport to stay open 
  • Cargo truck drivers allowed to move with only 2 people on board 
  • Public Transport will open with 50% passenger capacity
  • Food markets to remain open
  • Conferences and seminars still banned

 

 

THE SECOND COVID19 LOCKDOWN IN UGANDA:

 

Written by URN

 

The oxygen plant at Mbale Regional Referral hospital has broken down after being overstretched to function beyond capacity.

The breakdown of the plant has now induced panic at the hospital since almost all COVID-19 patients admitted are dependent on and in need of oxygen.

Dr Emanuel Tugaineyo, the director of Mbale hospital, says that the oxygen plant broke down yesterday Tuesday after being overstretched. The plant was working beyond its normal capacity because of the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.

According to Tugaineyo, on a normal day, the plant refills 25 oxygen cylinders but due to the current high demand, they are now forced to refill over 40 cylinders. He explains that when the plant broke down, the hospital management notified the ministry of Health and referred some of the patients in need of oxygen to Jinja hospital.

He says that the ministry has now provided some oxygen cylinders, which they are using at the hospital as technicians fix the oxygen plant.

 

"Definitely it is overstretched, it is overworked, we're pushing it to work beyond its capacity. Because on a normal working which is also not ample, it can only deliver 25 oxygen cylinders in 24 hours. Those are not now enough for our needs as a hospital and yet we supply even the other lower units in the region. They also come here for oxygen. Of course, we have been pushing it beyond capacity. That could have resulted in the breakdown," Tugaineyo said. 

Mbale hospital has since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic registered 616 cases. Currently, 33 patients are undergoing treatment within the treatment center with 12 of them on oxygen. Ugandan hospitals are faced with oxygen shortage following a breakdown of the main refilling plant at Mulago hospital last week. 

"The situation is very worrying, the situation is very bad because now the virus is easily transmissible and then the patients are presenting with more severe symptoms than in the first wave. Just a small disruption, you can get disaster because almost everybody who comes needs oxygen but in the past, we would get so many and few would need oxygen," Tugaineyo added. 

 

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