ANOTHER LOCKDOWN? Health Minister Aceng Breaks Silence as Covid19 Cases Rise Again

Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, the Minister of Health, has spoken out on fears that her ministry might soon advise President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni’s government to announce another lockdown after cases of Covid19 risen again. 

According to Aceng, the case of Covid19 have surged to the level of the peak occasioned by the Delta variant around the same time last year, in June 2021.

Uganda has registered a significant reduction in Covid19 cases and deaths in the first half of 2022. The economy has since fully been reopened, with schools, places of worship and markets operating as was the case in pre-Covid19 times.

“We have started experiencing an increase in the daily number of Covid19 cases compared to the stable trends we observed since January 2022. This increase is similar to the rise we faced in June 2021 when the Delta variant was prevalent,” said Aceng.

The minister, who is also the Lira City Woman MP, has assured Ugandans that the ministry is prepared to deal with the new surge, and that, for now, there was no recommendation for travel restrictions and a lockdown.

She has now urged people to go for Covid19 vaccination at designated health facilities and immunization points. The health minister has also encouraged the elderly and those with co-morbidities to go for booster doses so they can reduce the risk of severe effects on their health.

Aceng has also urged Ugandans to take observance of prevention guidelines such as hand washing, avoiding crowded places and ensuring social distance more seriously.

“However, as a country, we are well prepared to respond and save lives than before. We have no indication for travel restrictions, or lockdown in the current circumstances. We will optimize the existing control and mitigation tools at personal and community levels,” noted Aceng.

“These measures include: vaccination for all individuals, wearing of face masks at all times especially for the vulnerable population and, hand washing. Keep safe and keep Uganda safe. It’s possible!”

WARNING: Health Minister Aceng Sends Clear Message to Ugandans Regarding Covid19