Govt suspends churches, public gatherings and closes schools

By RedPepperDigital Editor

Kampala — Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has on Wednesday, March 20, announced the suspension of all public gatherings, including church mass and services and closure of institutions with immediate effect.

Pres. @KagutaMuseveni: The faster we run, the better. Run away from church but let’s keep praying at our places of residence#coronavirus #COVID19UG #RedPepperUpdates #RedPepperNews pic.twitter.com/dulhMmGlQ4

— Red Pepper Uganda (@RedPepperUG) March 18, 2020

Speaking at the State address on the CoronaVirus, President Museveni revealed that cabinet under his chairmanship convened Monday, March 16, suspending all public gatherings (church, weddings), sporting events, “all events that are of a huge public nature”.

The president also announced that the government had suspended learning in all institutions for 32 days to protect the population against coronavirus pandemic.

“We have resolved to close all education institutions; primary & pre-primary secondary & universities for a month effective Friday (March 20) at midday,” said President Museveni

Museveni revealed that families of the students are required to take the necessary precautionary measures for their safety.

He further castigated mammoth crowded funerals, urging Ugandans to desist from such and let government handle cases where the deceased is suspected to have died of the COVID19

“Funerals are a danger point, we can’t ban burial but we request the burial is done by the immediate family members and other rituals done later. If the person is suspected to have died of Coronavirus, the state will take over the burial,” said Museveni.

Pres. @KagutaMuseveni: If a deceased person is suspected of having died of #Coronavirus, the Staten (@GovUganda) will take over the funeral; the way we did with Ebola victims#COVID19UG #M7Address #RedPepperUpdates #Covid19 pic.twitter.com/QGDXcJxoiq

— Red Pepper Uganda (@RedPepperUG) March 18, 2020