The number of COVID-19 cases in the country has risen to 1,025 after 12 new cases were recorded from the 2,292 samples tested on Saturday.
Seven cases are from cross border truck drivers that were picked different points of entry including Malaba, Mirama Hills and Elegu. Five other cases were from contacts in Tororo, Lira and Chanika.
Additionally, 17 foreign truck drivers who tested positive for the disease at points of entry were denied entry into the country.
'Mama corona' flouts own guidelines
The minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng has come under severe criticism for failing to adhere to the very coronavirus preventive measures released by her own ministry. But despite the criticism, Aceng is urging Ugandans to adhere to the set COVID-19 preventive guidelines by wearing a face mask and maintaining social distancing whenever in public.
"I continue to appeal to you all to wear your masks, maintain social distance and wash your hands with soap regularly to prevent COVID-19, Aceng said.
Pictures emerged on social media showing the Health minister interacting with a crowd in Lira where she has declared intentions to stand as the area Woman MP minus wearing a face mask and without observing any social distancing guidelines.
Government, on the recommendation of the ministry of Health, banned political campaigns, claiming that they would lead to a spike in coronavirus cases in the country. In fact, this week, Kira Municipality MP Ssemujju Nganda who was interacting with his constituents, all wearing face masks were arrested by the police for allegedly flouting coronavirus preventive measures.
Minister, Jane Ruth Aceng: Signed regulation to ban public rallies and gatherings for campaigns for the 2021 general elections
— Mweine Mamburinga (@mweinemamburing) July 12, 2020
Also
Mp aspirant, Jane Ruth Aceng sponsors and partakes in a political motivated parade.
(Well I guess those a 2 different people) pic.twitter.com/LHJylyRhxe
Aceng denies holding a political rally and says she was rather sensitising the area locals on how to use face masks and how they can be worn.
"They [crowd] got excited when they heard about face masks, and specifically the minister for Health whom they call ‘mama corona’ and rushed to see me. They were difficult to control as seen in the picture as many wanted to take pictures and also get masks from me," reads part of the statement.
"As the minister who is at the helm of the corona response and an aspiring Woman MP of Lira district, I am cognizant of the rules and guidelines that we as the government have put in place," Aceng said.
The minister for Information and Communication Technology Judith Nabakooba said it "was wrong" for the Health minister to interact with the crowd without wearing a face mask and without observing social distancing guidelines, but urged Ugandans to follow all ministry of Health coronavirus preventive guidelines.
Same day pics: Health Minister Ruth Aceng (presently a MP aspirant) with a crowd of people in total disregard of SOPs she champions, on one hand;
— Kifefe Kizza-Besigye (@kizzabesigye1) July 11, 2020
Hon Semujju, MP of Kira Municipality violently arrested while meeting FDC leaders in his area, while wearing a mask, on other hand! pic.twitter.com/waV7smWNQZ
As of today, 972 people including both Ugandans and foreigners have been discharged from different treatment centres in the country.