Sixteen inmates at Kwania government prison farm have tested positive for COVID-19.

The samples of the 287 inmates were taken on Tuesday and 16 were found to be positive.

Frank Baine, the Uganda Prisons Spokesperson says that the inmates were all evacuated to Jinja Hospital isolation centre for treatment.

Baine says that Kwania government prison farm has been acting as the isolation centre for new inmates from all prison facilities in the Lango sub region, which could have exposed the inmates to COVID-19.

Some of the prison warders who preferred anonymity told Uganda Radio Network that the contacts of the 16 inmates have not been isolated.

But Baine refuted the claim saying the Uganda Prisons Services is doing all it takes to safeguard inmates and warders from contracting COVID-19.

According to Baine, they have lost only 2 inmates to COVID-19, adding that 4 isolation centres have been secured to handle severe cases

Last week, ten health workers and staff at Kwania district local government tested positive for COVID-19, prompting the district to restrict entry to the district headquarters.

Last month, at least 20 female inmates at Nakasongola prisons tested positive for COVID-19.

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By: URN