Uganda unlikely to fully reopen in January – sources 

According to the latest trend regarding high cases of Covid-19 infections, sources say reopening might be impossible.

Lira – 26, December 2021: The government of Uganda promise to reopen the economy in January may not come to pass.

To start with, in his address to the nation on Covid-19 months ago, President Museveni said that come January, all sectors of the economy would open.

Learning institutions, bars, and leisure centres are some of the sectors that have been closed for months.

In a reopening timetable released by the Ministry of Education and Sports recently, schools are to start on 10 January 2022.

“Whether we all are vaccinated or not, we will reopen in January,” Museveni earlier said.

According to the latest trend regarding high cases of Covid-19 infections, sources say reopening might be impossible.

“Earlier, I told you we are doing badly, Covid-19 is back and you can see from what we [the ministry of health] release every day. The president will issue guidance in the coming days,” a source says.

Uganda is one of the few countries in Africa that have properly managed Covid-19 whilst wide outcry from Ugandans on how some corrupt officials mismanaged Covid-19 monies.

Faruk Kirunda is the deputy press secretary in the Office of the President. He says Monday on the president will receive the status report on the Covid-19 situation in the country from the Taskforce led by Prime Minister Nabbanja Robinah.

“The report will inform the way forward on full reopening of the economy,” he adds.

Uganda has to date recorded 3,274 Covid-19 related deaths and 133,232 cumulative cases. As of December 23, 2,101,546 tests were done; 10,121,220 people have been vaccinated.

Kampala and Wakiso continue to lead in infections, data from the Ministry of Health shows. Out of 1,251 new cases recorded on December 23, the two towns’ total cases stood at 1,084.