This archive report was first published on 18 May 2020.
As of May 16, 2020, Uganda has implemented a new policy requiring all truck drivers employed in the country to undergo mandatory Covid-19 testing.
According to the new operating procedures, transport and logistics companies are responsible for testing their drivers within the country and adopting the Truck Driver Journey Management System Mobile application for easier monitoring.
The system will track the movement of all truck drivers in the country and will be managed by both truck companies and the Ministry of Health.
So far, only one point of entry – Mutukula – has been installed with a Genexpert machine, which provides rapid test results.
Drivers who test positive will be taken for treatment, while those with negative results will be allowed to continue their journey.
Dr. Monica Musenero, an epidemiologist and Covid-19 presidential advisor, stated that the new measures will help reduce the fear and mistrust that Ugandans have had towards truck drivers.
“We’ve been working on getting truck drivers tested before they can continue with their journeys. Before, we had difficulty because the PCR tests we were using would give drivers the chance of entering the country and get results later. The Genexpert machines will give drivers results before they can continue. Only drivers with negative results will be allowed to continue on their journey,” Dr. Musenero said.
