President Yoweri Museveni has extended the lockdown for another three weeks, approximately  21 days with all previous measures still standing.

The 21-day lockdown extension runs till May 5, 2020,  to give room to health professionals to clear the infections and continue with follow up on travelers who entered Uganda in March and also allow the government to study the situation longer.

The President, said this while addressing the country on Tuesday, April 14.

”21 days more, keep quiet. If there is anything it will come up. If it does not come up, we will say we tried our best. At least we would have tried. Therefore, observe the already announce prohibitions. Stay home. This is the season of planting”.Museveni said.

The president said that during the previous three weeks of the lockdown the Ministry of Health has managed to get results.

”I don’t want to start celebrating but the facts are here. In addition to our domestic tests, the other day, yesterday, our people started testing the interstate cargo transport drivers. They tested 372 drivers through who entered Malaba, all were found negative-M7”

He, however, said the government will use this additional time to follow up on the 18.000 who entered the country between 7th and 22nd March.

The president also promised to initiate a plan within the next 21 days on how to lift the ban in phases.

”We shall have to work out a systematic plan of how to bring things back to normal before the 21 days elapse. You cannot say we open schools first when public transport is closed because how will they then go to school?”Museveni added.

Museveni also asked for support from the LC1s and village members in being vigilant on newcomers in villages to avoid pollution of the novel virus.

He also warned Corrupt immigration personnel allowing people into Uganda at a fee that they will be charged with murder.

”Corrupt police & immigration. They will be charged with attempted murder” Museveni warned.

Museveni says that out of 5,664 persons tested in Uganda, 54 have been found to be positive.

As many as 4,015 were returnees – coming back to Uganda from abroad, 1,232 were those who interacted with the returnees (contacts) and 402 were those who had not been in contact with the returnees or travelled out, but because they got some symptoms, they reached out to the health officials to be tested (alert individuals).