This archive report was first published on 18 December 2021.
December 18, 2021
Uganda has announced mandatory Covid-19 testing for all travelers arriving at its land border points, a move aimed at curbing the rise in infections from neighboring countries.
According to Dr. Henry G. Mwebesa, the country's Director-General for Health Services, the new policy targets the Malaba and Busia borders with Kenya, Elegu with South Sudan, as well as Mutukula and Mpondwe.
Dr. Mwebesa stated that the decision follows the detection of more Omicron variants imported from neighboring countries in travelers who arrived via Entebbe International Airport.
“The Ministry is also intensifying mandatory testing, and follow-up of cases for all incoming travelers at the five major points of entry,” Dr. Mwebesa said, referring to the key border points with Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda.
He added that the testing will be implemented by the private sector already existing at the points of entry, as the Ministry of Health builds adequate capacity to take over.
Uganda, which has been under lockdown since July, reported 255 new cases of Covid-19, including 25 cases of the Omicron variant, raising the positivity rate to 3.7 percent and the total number of cases detected since the pandemic began to 128,764.
