This archive report was first published on 25 April 2020.
East Africa's fight against COVID-19 has reached a critical juncture, with the region's unity being put to the test.
Since the pandemic began six weeks ago, East Africa has implemented various measures to curb the spread of the virus, including partial lockdowns.
However, despite these efforts, the number of cases continues to rise in some countries, including Kenya and Rwanda.
Uganda, which had initially shown promise in flattening the curve, saw a surge in cases after six Kenyan and five Tanzanian truck drivers tested positive.
The incident sparked widespread criticism, with some calling for the ban of cross-border movement by truckers.
However, experts argue that this approach ignores the practical realities of the situation and could exacerbate the economic and health crisis in landlocked countries like Uganda and South Sudan.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has pointed out that moving sick people over long distances rather than quarantining them at the nearest facility puts the patient's life at risk and multiplies the potential for spread through contacts.
As the world grapples with the dual health and economic emergency of COVID-19, regional unity is more crucial than ever.
Encouraging intra-regional trade, which has been subdued by the pandemic, could help address supply deficits and dampen the prospect of hyper-inflation.
Pre-testing long distance drivers before they cross borders and tracking their movement through existing customs technology is a more rational and sustainable approach.
