Government Slashes Covid-19 Test Charges

Travellers coming in and out of the country shall now pay an approximate fee of sh108,000 (US$30) for COVID-19 mandatory testing.

The drop in charges comes after Government on Wednesday announced to take over the testing exercise from private facilities that were offering the service at approximately sh240,000 (US$65).

Speaking at the Uganda Media Centre, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, the ICT and national guidance minister said the arrangement to shift from the private services to a government laboratory at the airport shall be made within one week.

He also revealed that similar arrangements are being organised at the land border points.

“It was agreed that the PCR tests for all arriving passengers shall be carried out by government and not the private laboratories that are currently doing the testing. The passengers will pay a recovery cost of US$30 instead of US$65 being paid today. This cost shall be paid through a bank at the airport,” Baryomunsi said.

These were among cabinet decisions taken during the Monday meeting at State house, Entebbe.

It was also agreed that all travellers entering the borders including Entebbe International Airport will undergo a mandatory sample removal for testing COVID-19 but that passengers with tourist visas will have their samples taken but will be permitted to proceed to their respective hotels as they await the processing of the results.