Wakiso And Kampala to be in Lockdown, as other Regions with Less Covid-19 Surge Will be Left to Flourish with Routine Business.

President Museveni pose in a group photo with the Covid-19 Task Force Team yesterday at State House Entebbe, Photo Credit PPU.

President Yoweri Museveni yesterday met the national task force on the COVID-19 response and the attendees disagreed on whether there should be another lockdown phase to handle the COVID-19 pandemic or not, a source has revealed.

The task force consists of professional scientists, representatives from various government agencies including Office of the Prime Minister, Ministries of Health, Education, Trade, Finance, Tourism, Public Service and joint security agencies among others.

The President was among other things briefed about the ongoing mass COVID-19 vaccinations around the country and the current pandemic status.

While members of the committee insisted that the new variants are stronger and are affecting everyone in a very short stint, they also argued that there would be very little to do unless a lockdown is imposed.

The task force argued that Ugandans have not displayed a willingness to observe SOPs that limit or prevent the spread of COVID-19. They said that the public will respond to no other language that is different from lockdown.

“Even the police can not do much, they are the same people who will be giving cover to those breaking the SOPs,” a member lamented.

These arguments followed an earlier plea by members to Museveni to have a lockdown imposed.

Museveni, however, wondered if there aren’t other ways to save the people rather than lock them down.

Among other issues, the source said, Museveni pointed out that economies both here and globally are suffering and that people had just started “resurrecting” from the effects of the previous lockdown phase.

The source claims that Museveni dismissed the lockdown calls arguing that it would be harsh for the people, especially those who had just got jobs and business up running after they had lost them.

He told members that he does not want to go in the direction of the lockdown, tasking them to come up with other control measures.

Among other things, the task force said it would be better to then restrict public transport and congested business in downtown Kampala.

The experts also said there was no reason to continue with day schooling, while children who have not yet reported are better off staying home.

Movements in the Kampala and Wakiso areas, it was suggested, should be restricted, while private cars would be allowed but strictly with social distancing.

The task force also gave President Museveni a decision to make on a number of other issues including; bars, schools, restaurants, and games facilities before he could speak to the nation on Sunday.