Uganda issues new COVID-19 rules to curb flare-up

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Friday issued new guidelines to prevent the flaring up of COVID-19 cases in the country.

All Ugandans above 12 years old must be vaccinated twice, and get a boost COVID-19 vaccine every six months, said the president in a national address on health matters.

A COVID-19 vaccination certificate or a negative PCR test result will be needed to access a public office, he said, adding that wearing face masks is recommended for all individuals in closed places or public gatherings.

He encouraged the elderly, 50 years old and above, and those that have comorbidities to get vaccinated and booster doses in at least every six months.

Noting the country has got adequate vaccines, the president directed the ministry of health to relaunch the COVID-19 vaccination exercise. “Let us work together to ensure that Coronavirus does not flare up.”

Official data show the country has received about 49 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Of those, about 26 million doses have been administered to the population and about 22.6 million doses are still in government medical stores.

To date, 59 percent of the population aged 18 and above have received at least two doses of the vaccine, while only 6 percent of the 12-17 age group have received two doses. This coverage is below the target of 28.5 million eligible Ugandans, Museveni said.