In his third national address, in seven days and the second one since Uganda confirmed the landfall of the deadly disease, President Museveni warned businessmen, who are taking advantage of the desperate situation to hike prices, that their licenses will be canceled.
“Crooks are hiking prices of food. I want to warn those people, I will send spies into those towns, If I find anyone hiking prices, I will cancel your licenses,” said a stern-talking Museveni adding: “The food is grown here, what has changed to make the prices suddenly go up.”
“Anyone who is overcharging we shall cancel your licenses. You will never trade here. We will never give you another license… I warn the businessmen, don’t lead us into temptation,” he said.
Addressing the nation from his Nakasero State Lodge, Museveni also said that he would speak to National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) regarding a public outcry on water prices.
“I have to talk to the Water Corporation (NWSC) about the price of water. Tomorrow in the cabinet we shall talk about it,” he said.
However, President Museveni stopped short of banning public transport as widely expected, saying that he was more concerned about disrupting the economy.
He assured the country that Uganda’s first patient was recovering and stabilizing and that all the 8 confirmed cases had been identified and secured and are undergoing treatment and that work was going on to trace their contacts and associates, who would all be tested.
“I am monitoring the situation- let us see how these people who went into the population, how far they circulated and we see their associates and if we find that the problem is growing, the next thing we shall do is suspend public transport. But for that one let’s wait and monitor more,” he said, adding: “More than the virus, I am more worried about production- in the factories and on the farms.”
How Stanbic Bank CFO Ronald Makata Blends Governance, Technology and Human Leadership to Drive PerformancePresident Museveni, also strongly encouraged those called upon for testing to do so, saying that the initial indications with the first cases show that the disease can be treated locally.
“This means the people who escape and try to hide are endangering themselves unnecessarily- and endangering others. There is a possibility that if you are detected you can be treated,” he said, adding that Uganda has solved Ebola which had a 67% mortality rate versus COVID-19 which averages 3%.
Ugandan finance minister warns of lowering fuel stocks
Separately, the Ugandan Finance Minister, Hon Matia Kasaija, has warned of lowering fuel stocks, but assured the country that efforts are underway to normalize the situation.
“As you are aware, we get our fuel from the Middle East and because of the situation, production has reduced. As a result, our share of fuel from Mombasa has reduced. Because of that problem, our buffer stocks in Jinja are also running low. We have raised this issue with the responsible people in Kenya. We want to give you an assurance that we are doing everything possible to ensure the issue of fuel- petrol and diesel are dealt with so we don’t have to have long queues,” he told parliament today.
He also said that the government will ensure there is enough logistics especially fuel for the army and police to ensure maximum mobility around the country.
Uganda has shut schools and banned all public, political, social and religious gatherings. The country has also banned all entries and exits of passengers- by air, land, and water so as to stem any new infections. The travel ban took effect on Saturday midnight.
