By Umar Kisseka

KIU, Main Campus – In a bid to curb the spread of the deadly Coronavirus, the government of Uganda has started spraying and disinfecting trucks coming into Uganda.

The new measure comes in the light of the increasing positive Coronavirus cases among truck drivers. The process started in Bunagana (via Kisoro border) and was carried out by officials from the Uganda Red Cross Society with the help from the Ministry of Health.

According to Irene Nakasiita, the Head of Communications and Public Relations at the Uganda Red Cross society, the disinfection is part of the effort to strengthen surveillance at the border points in the fight against COVID-19.

According to the Ministry of Health, trucks will be disinfected both inside and outside to ensure that the virus does not stay attached to some objects and later find it’s way to humans. 

Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the Senior Communications Officer in the Ministry of Health says that all drivers who get to the Ugandan borders will be tested and their trucks disinfected too. 

“When a driver gets to the border, as their sample is being taken, the truck will undergo disinfection,” Ainebyoona said.

Last week, President Yoweri Museveni advised Ugandans to avoid coming into contact with truck drivers and emphasized security to ensure that truck drivers are tested before being allowed to join the populous. 

Uganda has reported a total of 79 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 22 among these are truck drivers entering Uganda to deliver cargo.