Government is working on a plan of limiting the number of cargo trucks entering the country by road as part of the new measures to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Robinah Nabbanja, the State Minister of Health for General Duties, told Journalists on Tuesday that there was an ongoing inter-ministerial meeting to discuss the matter as one of the measures to decongest Mutukula, Malaba and Elegu border posts which, according to Health Minister Dr Jane Aceng, have become the epicentres of the new Covid-19 infections in Uganda.

“Previously, we were testing drivers and allowing them to proceed and get their results later but this strategy was changed, Today, there is congestion at Malaba to the extent that the queue of truck drivers waiting to be tested and getting their results stretches 50kms into Kenya and 15kms inside Uganda.” Nabanjja said.

According to an inside source, the move is instigated by the shortage of testing kits vis-à-vis the number of truck drivers entering the country on a daily basis. More than 1,000 truck drivers enter Uganda every day and all these must be tested at the border points.

After a careful discussion with the heads of state of the neighbouring countries, President Museveni on Saturday directed the blocking of any truck driver who tests positive from entering the country.