Government prohibit the return of stranded Ugandans from abroad

The government has postponed the return of stranded Ugandans outside. The country does not treat any new returnees after July 4, 2020, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday.

The change aims at reducing congestion at quarantine facilities. The Ministry of Health gazetted 37 quarantine centres that have a combined capacity of 2,500 rooms in Kampala and Entebbe.

It is projected the decision would impact about 1,500 returnees. The Ugandans from North America, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, China and Malaysia who were expected to arrive next week are the ones who will have to reschedule their travels.

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Patrick Mugoya, says that Ugandans’ return will resume after health officials attend those in quarantine centres.

The Ministry of Health had planned to have a total of 300 Ugandans return every two weeks at the beginning of the Ugandans and residents return process. However, over 300 people have returned and filled up the quarantine centres within one week.

South Africa, Turkey, India, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates are the ones who have already returned. Ugandans are due to arrive today at New Dehli, India. So far 13 of the returnees have tested positive of Coronavirus COVID-19.

All the returnees will have to undergo two weeks of mandatory institutional quarantine at the designated destinations.