The number of COVID-19 cases in Uganda now stands at 260 after another 12 Ugandan truck drivers tested positive for the novel virus.
The truck drivers entered the country using different border points on Monday.
The 12 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed from 1,743 samples of truck drivers, also, 32 drivers who tested positive were sent back to their countries of origin.
The Health ministry sent back all the 32 drivers following the President’s directive that only drivers who test negative would enter the country.
Some of the drivers had entered the country using the Mutukula point of entry where the government has installed a Genexpert.
Emphasis has been put at the Mutukula entry point, where traffic is lower than other borders.
On Monday, President Museveni during his COVID-19 address promised to handle delays in the testing COVID-19 positive truck drivers.
Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, the minister of health over the weekend said that Uganda would only treat Ugandan and South Sudanese drivers.
“No driver will be allowed to enter the country if they test positive.
The only drivers who will be allowed to enter and receive treatment are Ugandan and South Sudanese who enter the country using the Elegu point of entry until South Sudan is able to treat them,” she said.
According to the Health Ministry, to date over 160 drivers have tested positive for COVID-19.
