Transport minister threatens to halt public transport over motorists flouting COVID-19 regulations

Works and Transport minister General Edward Katumba Wamala has threatened to halt public transport, saying some taxi operators and motorists are not obeying COVID-19 guidelines put in place by government to stem the spread of the pandemic.

In his tweet, the minister says: “Fellow Ugandans, it has come to my attention that some taxi operators and motorists are not obeying the #COVID19 guidelines.”

He adds: “With the increasing cases of community transmission, we may be forced to halt public transport.”

While addressing the nation on March 25 2020, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, suspended public transport as one way of curtailing the spread of COVID-19. The forms of public transport included commuter taxis, buses, passenger trains and boda bodas.

However, on June 4, 2020, public transport, except boda bodas, was allowed to resume with accompanying guidelines, among which were; Taxis and buses to strictly required to carry half capacity to ensure social distancing, all occupants to wear masks and the operators to ensure that all passengers sanitize before boarding.

Boda bodas resume business

After about four months, Boda boda were on July 26 allowed to carry passengers but with guidelines; a rider must wear a face mask covering nose and mouth and must have a safety helmet, all passengers must have a facemask covering nose and mouth or face shields, riders must disinfect their jackets and boda boda at the beginning and end of the trip and maintain the basic safety precautions, and they must carry strictly one passenger at a time. Plus, the rider is supposed to record the names of the passengers for easy contact tracing by the authorities.

Increasing community transmission

Yesterday alone, Ministry of Health recorded 66 new cases bringing the cumulative total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Uganda to 1,500. Of the 66, 30 were from Kampala, 6 from Namisindwa, 7 from Wakiso, 10 from Tororo, Moroto, Katakwi, Buikwe, Bukwo, Bundibugyo, Mballe, Isingiro, Hoima and Buliisa. The country had recorded 49 new cases.

So far, Uganda has recorded 13 deaths from Coronavirus disease.