The rapid spread of the Corona virus, the Ugandan government has ordered the entire public transport sector to pause its services. The ban is a strategy to help them fight the Covid-19 outbreak. So far, Uganda has recorded fourteen cases that include an eight-month-old baby. On Wednesday, Yoweri Museveni, the President of Uganda, announced a fourteen-day ban on public transport. He says the ban should take an immediate effect. The most affected are buses, taxis, and any other form of transport, including the motorcycle taxis “boda-bodas.”
The strategy to curb covid-19 spread
At the moment, the African countries are doing what they can to minimize the rapid spread of the Corona virus. According to the latest news, the Uganda government bans public transport. Yoweri Museveni, the President of Uganda, urges all private cars to carry a minimum of three passengers, including the driver. Furthermore, there are not public gatherings allowed in the country except for those who are selling food.
As per the reports from BBC, Ugandans who have never left the country are getting sick. It is the same reason why the authorities should take action immediately and limit movements across the country to help minimize the spread. Last week, the president ordered the closure of all schools, including colleges and universities, cinemas, bars and ban of public gathering for at least one month.
Public transport workers are a pivotal dominant political constituency totaling to tens of thousands. Maybe it is the reason the president is cautious in restricting them. Mr. Museveni only suspends transport for two weeks.
Travelers stranded in Gulu
Following the public transport ban, reports say travelers got stuck in Gulu on Wednesday night. Several commuters from Pader, Elegu, Kitgum, Adjumani as well as Lamwo district are stranded in Gulu. Consequently, Makome, Roblyn, and Homeland Holdings Company limited buses that operate in Kampala had their journey suspended.
According to the news, to ensure the transport ban rule is followed, Emmanuel Mafundo, the Gulu district police commander accompanied by the soldiers from the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces, holds patrols in different bus terminals, where they dispersed hundreds of passengers. Some of the citizens are complaining about the sudden implementation of the transport ban order. A good example is Michael Odora, who boarded a homeland bus from Kitgum to Kampala. He says he did not make it to town even though he had an emerging issue.
Also, another passenger Beatrice Lapodo, who booked a bus and did not travel, says it was necessary to announce a one day grace period to give room for citizens to adjust to the ban. Since Monday, ten people, including five South Sudanese and five Ugandans, are isolated following the fourteen-day quarantine measure for all travelers entering the country.
Conclusion
Subjecting the Ugandan transport sector is an excellent strategy to curb the rapid spread of the Corona virus. Still, the government should have given a few hours grace period for the travelers to adjust. Of course, everyone understands the need for these restrictions and measures. I feel the government should have given then the nation a grace period for them to fine-tune.
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