MUTUKULA – The parliamentary committee on COVID-19 has on Monday, April 27 visited the Mutukula border as several truck drivers continue to test positive for the deadly virus in Uganda.
The MPs include Hon Arinaitwe Katambuka Rwakajara (Workers MP), Hon Francis Mwijukye (Buhweju County MP), Hon Eshter Anyakun (Nakapiripirit Woman Representative) and Hon Bernard Atiku (Ayivu County, Arua).
According to legislators, truck drivers are not quarantined “as it’s being alleged”.
“Truck drivers when they park trucks they mix with Ugandans and Tanzanians as they wait to be tested,” said the MPs
These have tasked the Ministry of Health to leave Kampala offices and intervene in the problem.
The disappointed legislators revealed that “The truck drivers were seen moving freely in Uganda mixing with Ugandans freely before even being tested and Health workers meant to screen the transit cargo truck drivers at Mutukula border are few.”
The Kyotera District Health Officer Dr. Edward Muwanga told MPs that only 10 health workers are deployed at the border.
He said that they have been overwhelmed by the big number of truck drivers being screened for COVID-19 pandemic at the border.
Hon. Mwijukye said “I witnessed Ugandans cross to Tanzania to work in markets and buy foodstuffs freely and at the same time Tanzanians come to Uganda freely without any Restrictions.”
MPs want concerned authorities to intervene with immediate effect and have a joint operation along the Uganda-Tanzania border in terms of awareness along the border communities to minimize the free interaction of people along the borderline.
