President Yoweri Museveni has said that traders who are taking advantage of the Coronavirus outbreak to overcharge Ugandans will have their licenses withdrawn and they will not be able to do any business in the country.
Mr Museveni said that foodstuffs are produced in Uganda and that nothing has changed to prompt any price hikes.
The president said that he will send spies to arrest those exploiting Ugandans in the wake of the deadly Covid-19 outbreak.
The president further emphasized the need by Ugandans to observe strict measures as told by experts including social distancing, hand washing among others.
The President expressed optimism that the virus will be defeated if Ugandans take the measures seriously.
He noted that he is still studying the idea of suspending public means of transport.
He said that he has asked the trade minister to ensure the resumption of the Roadmaster industries so that bicycles can replace the cars in towns.
The president’s latest address comes after the minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng on Monday night urged Ugandans to stay calm and maintain hygiene after confirming eight new cases of coronavirus that has wreaked havoc across the world.
Dr Aceng told journalists in Kampala that Uganda’s confirmed cases are now nine in total.
“All the eight cases are Ugandan nationals who traveled back from Dubai, UAE; two on March 20 and six on March 22, 2020 aboard the Emirates and Ethiopian Airlines flights. This brings the total number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in the country to nine,” Dr Aceng said.
All those who tested positive had a fever upon screening.
As of Monday, at least 2,661 travellers, including Ugandans had been identified as potential risk and put either under self-quarantine or institutional quarantine, according to the minister.
“Of these, 1356 are under follow up; 774 of these are under institutional quarantine while 582 are under self-quarantine,” she added.
According to her, a total of 1,305 high-risk travellers have completed their 14 days of follow up.
The first confirmed case is said to be stable at Entebbe Grade B Hospital.