Economy might not open in January, says Minister as Museveni gets final Covid report
By Davis Mugabi
The State Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Godfrey Kabbyanga, has hinted that the economy might not fully reopen in January as earlier stipulated, considering the recklessness exhibited yesterday in most worship centers.
Kabbyanga is quoted by NBS TV to have said that there was no observance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) in many prayer centers, especially upcountry, which he said, could have furthered the spread of Covid-19.
1,116 new cases
Meanwhile, the health ministry has confirmed 1,116 new coronavirus cases in Uganda, bringing the cumulative total to 134,348.
The ministry said that the tests it conducted on December 24 confirmed these new cases, out of the 7,911 samples collected that day, with the test positivity rate now at 14.1%.
At 611, Kampala again recorded the most number of new cases, followed again by Wakiso (268) and Luwero at 72.
Mbarara has 16 new cases while Moroto has 13. Mbale and Jinja have 12 each, while Arua and Tororo have 11 new cases each.
Nakasongola has 10, while Soroti and Kalaki have eight each. Amuru has five, while Bududa, Kabarole, Rakai and Kyotera have four each.
Mukono, Kabale and Iganga have three new cases each, while Busia has two. The districts of Hoima, Namisindwa, Kalungu, Kapchorwa, Nwoya, Sironko, Kuruhiira, Nakapiripirit, Mukono, Manafwa, Masaka, Gulu and Bukwo have one new case each.
The ministry said 17 truck drivers tested positive for COVID-19 and they were from Kyotera (11), Busia (2), and one each from Tororo, Amuru, Ntungamo and Kampala.
The ministry reported one more COVID-19 death, bringing the cumulative total to 3,275. Those who have recovered from COVID-19 are 98,207.
Museveni to get final Covid-19 brief on Monday
President Yoweri Museveni is expected to receive the status report on the COVID-19 situation in Uganda tomorrow.
Farouk Kirunda, the president’s deputy press secretary, said Museveni will receive the report from the taskforce led by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja.
“The report will inform the way forward on the full reopening of the economy,” said Kirunda.
