President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni has announced the easing of the 42-day lockdown.
In an address at State House Nakasero on July 30, Museveni announced new measures that left a smile on the faces of private and public transport operators such as bodabodas, taxis and buses and traders.
But the announcement left students, teachers and school administrators as well as religious leaders in tears.
See full list of measures:
CURFEW
- Curfew time was set at 1900Hrs to 0530 Hrs
- Curfew time is maintained at 1900 Hrs to 05:30Hrs. All persons, except security personnel on duty and those authorized to move, should be in their homes.
- This is intended to avoid breaching of guidelines, SOPs and thuggery under the cover of darkness.
BODABODAS
- Boda-Bodas movement was restricted to 1700hrs and only allowed to carry cargo.
- Boda-Bodas arenow allowed to move up to 1800hrs.
- Beyond 1800hrs, no Boda-Bodas should be on the road.
- They are now allowed to carry one passenger at a time or cargo.
- They should strictly maintain SOPs.
- Wearing a mask is a MUST for both the rider and passenger.
- The Boda-Boda Associations are directed to regulate themselves.
- Failure to comply, this directive will be reversed to the earlier position.
KIKUUBO
- Kikuubo was closed.
- Kikuubo should open under the following conditions:
- All kiosks within corridors of buildings should be removed for purposes of decongesting pathways.
- Roadside vending within Kikuubo is banned.
- These will be relocated to alternative venues where vending is permitted by KCCA.
- Kikuubo should remain a wholesale trading centre.
- The Ministers for Kampala, RCC, KCCA and enforcement agencies to ensure compliance.
- Manufacturers, wholesalers and traders should open outlets in the various towns and business centres in the outskirts of the Central Business District.
- Traders should adapt to e-commerce.
MALLS, ARCADES
Malls, arcades and other business centers were closed
These can open and must strictly follow these guidelines:
- Compliance to all SOPs.
- Presence of compliance officers is a MUST.
- Corridors and access ways have to be clear.
- Adequate lighting and ventilation.
- Dedicated entry and exit-Install CCTV cameras where they are absent.
- Proper hygiene and sanitation facilities.
- Registration of shop owners and attendants is a MUST.
- Only those arcades that conform to the above guidelines will be allowed to open.
- In addition, failure to conform to any of the above will lead to closure.
BURIALS
- Burials were restricted to a maximum of 20 people.
- This should be maintained until the population is sufficiently vaccinated.
WEDDINGS
- Weddings were restricted to a maximum of 20 people
- This should be maintained until the population is sufficiently vaccinated.
PLACES OF WORSHIP
- Places of worship were closed.
- This should be maintained as closed and will be reviewed after another 60 days.
- Alternative means of worship i.e. online, radio and TVs are instead encouraged.
- A maximum of 10 leaders are allowed to lead the virtual prayers.
SPORTS
- Outdoor sports events were allowed with restrictions
- The International and local accredited sports events are allowed under strict observance of SOPs (no spectators, mandatory testing of players and officials within 72 hours of the event).
- Outdoor individual sport activities are allowed under strict observance of SOPs.
- Indoor sports activities including gyms, pool tables remain closed.
BETTING
- Gaming and betting remain closed
- Casinos, theaters and Cinemas including Bibanda remain closed.
CONCERTS
- Performing artistes, concerts and comedians are advised to perform virtually.
- These measures shall be reviewed after 42 days.
BARS
- Bars were closed
- Bars remain closed and the enforcement agencies are directed to arrest and charge both revellers and owners who breach this directive.
RESTAURANTS
- Restaurants were allowed to operate under strict observance of SOPs
- These should remain open under strict observance of SOPs.
- SALONS
- Salons were allowed to operate under strict observance of SOPs
- These should be opened under strict observance of SOPs and guidelines.
SAUNAS
- Saunas and Steam baths were closed
- These should remain closed.
SCHOOLS
- All schools were closed
- Schools will remain closed until sufficient vaccination of the eligible population and children aged 12-18 years old has taken place
- The Ministry of Education and Sports/ National Council for Higher Education and Ministry of Health should meet and plan for the possibility of a safe reopening of medical schools.
- Learning should continue virtually
- Ministry of Education and Sports will provide learning materials to learners
MDA OFFICES
- Reduction to 10% of Non-core staff in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs )and other formal sectors. i.e. lawyers, auditors etc
- MDAs and other formal sectors may operate at a maximum of 30% in a rotational manner.
- MDAs and other formal sectors must have compliance officers to enforce SOPs.
INLAND TRAVEL
- Inter-district travel by private vehicles was banned but registered Private vehicles are now allowed to move across district borders carrying a maximum of three persons, including the driver.
- Tourists’ vehicles were allowed to move
- Registered tourists’ vehicles should continue to move to their destinations and designated places.
- Enforcement agencies and the task forces at all levels to ensure compliance.
- Ministry of Health should on a bi-weekly basis flag the high-risk districts for restrictive control actions.
TRAVEL ABROAD
- Movement in and out of the country through the airport was allowed.
- Entebbe International Airport will remain open.
- Ministry of Health, Immigration services, Port health and other Agencies of Government to ensure compliance to the existing guidelines such as testing, isolation etc.
- UPDF medical services are directed to oversee the management of COVID-19 screening processes at Entebbe International Airport leading to secure entry and exit.•Online visa management systems be maintained.
TRUCKS
- Movement of cargo trucks through the land border points of entry was allowed
- Cargo trucks are still allowed to move in and out of the country with a maximum of two people (driver and turn man).
- Drivers should possess a negative COVID-19 test result and be allowed to move.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
- Public transport was banned
- Public transport will open at strictly 50% capacity effective Monday, 2nd August, 2021.
- This will be reviewed every after two weeks.
- Taxi and bus owners’ associations must ensure adherence to this directive by their members as part of self-regulation by the appropriate associations.
- There must be no air conditioning in all public transport
- There must be strict adherence to the detailed SOPs and guidelines as laid out by Ministry of Works and Transport
- Public Transport Associations are directed to regulate themselves.
- Failure to comply, this directive will be reversed to the earlier position.
FOOD MARKETS
- Food Markets were open
- These should remain open but maintain strict observance of SOPs.
WEEKLY, MONTHLY MARKETS
- Seasonal markets were closed
- These should remain closed.
CONFERENCES
- Conferences, workshops and seminars were banned.
- These remain banned except with explicit permission from the Ministry of Health and related MDAs.
- Numbers will be restricted and testing will be carried out.
ENFORCEMENT
- The Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), working together with the Technical Intersectoral Committee (TISC) were directed to closely monitor the compliance and enforcement of these directives.
