News Headlines
All 398 samples test negative for coronavirus
April 4, 2020 by VOA
All 398 samples have tested negative for coronavirus today, the ministry of Health has announced. Uganda's confirmed COVID-19 cases remain...
Coronavirus positive mother gives birth to baby girl in Entebbe
April 4, 2020 by URN
An expectant woman who tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has today successfully delivered her fourth child through caesarean section operation. The...
COVID-19: Quarantined returnees declare hunger strike
April 4, 2020 by URN
A cross-section of people held under quarantine in Kampala and Entebbe have declared a hunger strike after the Health ministry...
South African-created WhatsApp bot puts COVID info into hands of milli…
April 4, 2020 by VOA
A WhatsApp bot developed by a South African organization is helping millions of people around the world get the latest...
COVID-19 supplies from Alibaba never reached Eritrea
Much publicized COVID-19 supplies donated by Chinese billionaire Jack Ma and his Alibaba Group never made it to Eritrea, despite Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's saying the supplies had been delivered to the entire continent. The reasons why the goods did not reach Eritrea are unclear, but rights activists accuse the…
KCCA sets up 29 vehicle stations for health emergencies
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has set up 29 locations where ambulances providing transport to people with health emergencies will be stationed. This is in line with a decision by the government to provide transport to citizens with health emergencies other than COVID-19 amidst the current 14-day lockdown which led…
Two children dead as parents fail to secure transport to hospital
Two children are reported to have died in Alebtong district after their parents failed to get vehicles to transfer them to Lira regional referral hospital. One of the cases involved a mother who was referred from Amugu health centre III while in labour. The second one involved a child from Owalo…
Uganda COVID-19 cases rise to 48
Uganda's confirmed coronavirus cases have risen to 48 after 3 more cases were confirmed today according to the minister of Health Jane Ruth Aceng. The minister said 419 samples were tested today and three including two returnees from Dubai and another from USA tested positive.
Kitgum hospital runs out protective gear for health workers
Kitgum general hospital has run out of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers.Dr Geoffrey Okello, Kitgum hospital acting medical superintendent says PPEs especially masks delivered by government in the fourth quarter have run out. He made the revelation on Friday while presenting reports of case management sub-committee during a…
Gov't ignores parliament on COVID-19 relief food
Government will ignore parliament's resolutions halting the distribution of relief food in Kampala and Wakiso starting this Saturday. On Thursday, in a heated plenary, speaker of Rebecca Kadaga halted the food distribution in Kampala and Wakiso until a comprehensive programme for countrywide beneficiaries is formalized. The MPs questioned the methodology of…
Panama employs gender-based plan to fight COVID-19
Panama is now using a gender-based plan to support restrictions already in place to contain a COVID-19 outbreak. Panama Security minister Juan Pino said that until April 15, men and women can only leave their homes for a two-hour period on certain days.
COVID-19: Fuel sales drop by 80%
Fuel sales in Uganda have dropped by more than 80 per cent, cutting off a key tax avenue for the government.Industry estimates show that fuel dealers will be unable to sell 160 million litres of fuel if the lockdown extends to April 30, 2020. On the whole, retailers sell at least 200…
UNBS blacklists 15 sanitizer brands after failed lab tests
The Uganda National Bureau of Standard (UNBS) has cautioned the public not to buy 15 blacklisted sanitizer brands after they failed to pass laboratory tests. The blacklisted brands are; Lovillea Gelly Cologne, Blue++ King Hand Sanitizer – Aloe, Blue++ King Hand Sanitizer – Peach, Yoza Hand Sanitizer; Strawberry alcohol-based instant hand…
Uganda coronavirus rise to 45 as pandemic hits 1 million cases globally
Uganda's cases rose to 45 cases after one new case was confirmed on Thursday. Out of the 302 samples tested, 301 samples tested negative according to ministry of Health. Globally, the coronavirus pandemic has hit a grim milestone of 1 million confirmed cases. As of Friday morning, there are 1,016,413…
Don't overwhelm our fragile health, Aceng warns Ugandans
The Health minister Jane Ruth Aceng has warned that Uganda can easily be "thrown off balance" by the coronavirus pandemic and start recording daily deaths in excess of 500 if Ugandans don't take the disease seriously. In a multi-sectoral press conference at Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) offices, Aceng says she is getting…
Coronavirus kills 2 more in Kenya as cases rise to 110, prisoners released
Two people who were under quarantine in Kenya have passed on, the Health cabinet secretary Mutahi Kagwe said Thursday. Mutahi said the two patients were in Nairobi and Mombasa, and 29 new coronavirus cases had been registered today, rising the national tally to 110 cases. Mutahi also announced that henceforth, all people…
KCCA closes section of Kalerwe market over social distancing violation
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has closed Kisanjja section in Kalerwe market in Kampala for failing to abide by the government coronavirus preventive guidelines.According to a statement issued Wednesday, the closure has been prompted by overcrowding in the market."The notice issued today has directed the vendors to cease operations effective…
Philippine president issues shoot dead order for violators COVID-19 lockdown
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says anyone who violates the government’s lockdown measures to combat the coronavirus outbreak could be shot by police. Duterte issued the warning during a televised address Wednesday in response to demonstrations in a poor neighbourhood in Manila by residents angry over insufficient food aid.
Gov't starts COVID-19 food distribution this weekend
Government has announced that it will start the distribution of food packs to 1.5 million vulnerable people in Kampala and Wakiso districts this Saturday, April 4, 2020. Government imposed a 14-day lockdown starting April 1 where all non-essential workers were ordered to stay home in a bid to contain the spread…
All 63 samples test negative, Namboole to turn into hospital
All today's 63 suspected coronavirus have tested negative at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), ministry of Health has announced. The ministry says 1,510 samples have been tested to date and 44 of these have tested positive. 1,002 are under followup - 695 who were in contact with the positive cases…
The futile pain of securing an RDC travel permit
While President Yoweri Museveni directed the resident district commissioners (RDCs) to grant permission to people with emergencies to travel in private vehicles, securing the permit is such a painful attempt as Baker Batte writes. Addressing the country Tuesday, Museveni said the RDCs should grant temporary permits to people with medical emergencies…
Boda boda rider shot in buttocks for defying curfew
A boda boda cyclist only known as Vincent was yesterday shot and injured by police in Kisimbiri trading centre, Wakiso district for defying curfew directives issued by President Yoweri Museveni on Monday. Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango said the 30-year-old Vincent was shot in the buttocks on Tuesday night after…
Haiti doctors flee state-run hospital to avoid coronavirus infection
The seafoam green rooms of the General Hospital in Port-au-Prince are predominantly empty this week, absent the doctors and nurses who refuse to work for fear of becoming infected with the coronavirus. Haiti has 15 confirmed cases of COVID-19, spanning four departments, Public Health minister Marie Greta Roy Clement told reporters…
Namugongo drivers reap big from transport ban
The president's restriction on public transport; prohibiting taxis and bodas was quickly turned into a winning lottery by private car owners and boda bodas in Kira town, Namugongo, Wakiso district. Since March 28, taxi drivers evading the presidential directive (at risk of being arrested) more than trippled the fare charges. Before…
South Africa launches door-to-door coronavirus screening
South Africa is launching an aggressive coronavirus screening program as the total number of confirmed cases tops 1,000, the largest amount of any country on the continent.
6 Watoto Choir children, 5 adults test positive for coronavirus
Uganda’s coronavirus cases have risen to 44 after 11 members of Watoto Children's Choir who were under quarantine tested positive today. Of the 176 samples tested all the 11 positive samples were of Watoto. Yesterday no positive case was recorded following the testing of 82 samples. “All these were children of…
IMC clinics close during curfew hours
The International Medical Centre (IMC) has decided to stop night operations because of the curfew announced by President Yoweri Museveni.In a message to its clients issued on Tuesday IMC said, "due to the COVID19 situation in the country and the presidential directive, IMC has decided to close the night shift…
Sanitizer manufacturer Saraya resumes production
After nearly two weeks out of production, Japanese-led Saraya Manufacturing Uganda Limited has resumed production of the Alsoft V brand of hand sanitizers. On March 18, 2020, Saraya ran out of stock of a key ingredient used in the manufacture of sanitizers leading to scarcity of the product on the…
Banks close city branches due to coronavirus lockdown
Absa Bank Uganda on Tuesday closed its branches in Kampala and Entebbe following a 14-day ban on movement of private cars across the country.In a notice to customers, the bank said that its branches upcountry remains open. It said, "All Absa branches in Kampala and Entebbe will be closed today…
UVRI scales down COVID-19 testing over shortage of kits
The Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) is to scale down on the number of people it tests for coronavirus due to fears of running out of test kits. UVRI says only people who fit in the criteria for exposure to a confirmed case or travel history and have symptoms consistent with…
Overwhelmed, Italians choose cremation over burial
With the Italian death toll from coronavirus passing 10,000, the country’s crematoria, especially in the northern region of Lombardy, are overwhelmed and are having to transport bodies to crematoria in other regions. More families of coronavirus victims are choosing cremation over burial, for fear of catching the virus from the…
COVID-19 shouldn't lead to suspension of routine health services - WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated operational planning guidelines in balancing the demands of responding directly to COVID-19 while maintaining essential health service delivery, and mitigating the risk of system collapse. The guidelines include a set of targeted immediate actions that countries should consider at national, regional, and local level…
All today's 82 samples test negative for coronavirus
All 82 samples tested for COVID-19 at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Entebbe today have all tested negative. Confirmed cases remain at 33. On Monday last week, 8 new cases were announced, 5 on Wednesday, 4 on Thursday, 5 on Friday, 7 on Saturday and 3 on Sunday. According to…
Museveni imposes 14-day COVID-19 lockdown
This is the full speech of President Yoweri Museveni in which he announced a 14-day lockdown of the country in a bid to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the country. Uganda currently has 33 confirmed cases. Countrymen and countrywomen I am here, to again address you on the issue…
COVID-19: Ministry of Health rejects Besigye's 'ambulances'
Ministry of Health has objected to former opposition FDC party president, Dr Col Kizza Besigye’s parallel emergency response during the coronavirus outbreak. Besigye announced on Twitter yesterday that "From tomorrow, Monday, 30th March, the People’s Govt will provide emergency services (to hospitals) for people in need within Kampala Metropolitan area. Briefing…
Reallocate Shs 7bn gym money to COVID-19 - Civil Society
Civil society is calling on the government to reallocate part of quarter four (Q4) funds in the 2019/20 budget from non-priority activities towards COVID-19 pandemic response plans. The Civil Society Budget Advisory Group (CSBAG) says the over Shs 200 billion which was allocated for luxurious activities like gym memberships for civil…
Coronavirus cases in Uganda rise to 33, global cases hit 700,000 mark
The ministry of Health has today Sunday announced a further 3 new coronavirus cases, taking the national tally to 33 cases.
Condom shortage looms after coronavirus shuts world's top producer
A global shortage of condoms is looming, the world’s biggest producer said, after a coronavirus lockdown forced it to shut down production. Malaysia’s Karex Bhd makes one in every five condoms globally. It has not produced a single condom from its three Malaysian factories for more than a week due to…
Father Kiibi arrested for defying COVID-19 prayer restrictions
Renowned celebrity Catholic priest Rev Fr Deogratius Kiibi has been arrested for defying a presidential directive on religious gatherings. Kiibi, the parish priest of Mpigi town was arrested alongside about 7 other faithfuls who reportedly gathered for mass today Sunday according to Captian Godfrey Matovu the Mpigi district internal security officer. President…
Cameroonian Muslims defy coronavirus prayer restrictions
Muslims in Cameroon have defied and are protesting government restrictions on prayer attendance at mosques, imposed to reduce the spread of COVID-19, which has so far been confirmed in 92 people in less than a month. The Muslims say the government order defies God’s teachings. Hundreds of Muslim faithful attended their…
Uganda coronavirus cases hit 30
Uganda coronavirus cases have increased to 30 after seven new cases were confirmed today at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Entebbe.
Donor's blood may help recipient fight COVID-19
Blood from people who have recovered from COVID-19 may help treat or prevent the disease in others. Scientists are preparing to see if injecting patients with the clear liquid part of blood, known as plasma, from patients who have recuperated from coronavirus infection can halt the virus. It's an age-old treatment, used…
Quarantined passengers sneaking out of Kabale hotel to shop, drink alcohol
Passengers supposedly quarantined inside Kirigime guest house in Kabale district in western Uganda are freely mingling with hawkers and are constantly going out to shop in total disregard of set guidelines of avoiding contact with the public. The 94 were confined at Katuna border on March 22, while…
China offers to replace faulty COVID-19 test kits sold to Spain
A Chinese company offered Friday to replace thousands of faulty coronavirus test kits after Spanish health authorities – desperate for materials to cope with the world’s second-highest COVID-19 death toll – complained they did not work as promised. China has sold face masks and other medical equipment through a series of…
10 suspected COVID-19 cases isolated in Gulu test negative
Sample results of 10 individuals quarantined in Gulu since Monday have tested negative for the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) disease.The suspects include three South Sudan nationals who travelled from Juba to Entebbe and disregarded the self-quarantine directives. They sneaked into Kampala and later proceeded to Gulu enroute to South Sudan.The samples…
Govt shuts down all driving permit issuance offices
The ministry of Works and Transport has today closed all driving permit facilities around the country as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).The ministry made the announcement through a text message sent to phones of people who have never picked up their driving licenses. The message says, 'We…
Uganda coronavirus cases rise to 23
The ministry of Health has announced five new cases of coronavirus cases taking the national tally to 23 cases in the country.
37 Chinese nationals charged for trading in Uganda without licences
37 Chinese nationals have been charged for conducting business in Uganda without trading licenses and unlawful possession of wildlife species. Three of them, according to prosecution, were on March 19, 2020, found disassembling several mobile phones and computers for trading purposes, albeit without a trading license. The offences were reportedly…
969 die in Italy on Friday
Italy on Friday became the second country to overtake China in coronavirus infections, reaching 86,498 cases on the same day it recorded its single biggest leap in coronavirus deaths, with 969 more victims. The gruesome milestones nevertheless came on the day that Italian health officials said they were seeing a slight…
Transport ban: discharged patients stuck at Masaka hospital
Discharged patients are stuck at Masaka regional referral hospital after failing to travel to their homes following President Yoweri Museveni's ban on public transport. Maria Nalunkuuma, a resident of Kyamulibwa sub county in Kalungu district says she was referred to Masaka hospital to undergo a hernia operation but has failed to…
British PM, Health minister tests positive for COVID-19
Britain's Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced Friday he has tested positive for coronavirus and is self-isolating at home with mild symptoms. Less than two hours earlier, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that he had tested positive for the virus. Hancock made the announcement on his Twitter account, saying he has been…
Uganda closes doors to refugees due to COVID-19 outbreak
Uganda's open-door policy for refugees and asylum seekers has been suspended for 30 days with immediate effect. The directive is contained in a joint statement released Wednesday by the government and the United Nations System in Uganda on Refugee Focused Prevention and Control Measures for the coronavirus (COVID-19). Refugees who are already in…
Uganda coronavirus cases rise to 18
President Yoweri Museveni Uganda has announced four new coronavirus cases. Museveni said on his Twitter account today morning that yesterday 197 samples were tested, and 4 turned out positive. The national tally has now gone to 18 confirmed cases. According to Museveni, the four new cases had been under institutional quarantine in the various…
Court orders Basajjabalaba to refund taxpayers' money
The Constitutional court has ordered city businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba to refund to government all the money that was illegally paid to him as compensation for losing the tender to manage city markets and Constitutional Square.In a majority decision of 3-2, the judges said the money to be refunded by Basajjabalaba and his…
Kenya records first COVID-19 death, 498 die in Spain
Kenya has recorded its first coronavirus death and 3 new cases (31 total) and one recovery as the global tally today reached 503,272 with 22,342 deaths. 121,227 have recovered from the virus worldwide. Spain today recorded 6,682 new cases and 498 deaths rising its national tally to 56,197 cases. Algeria with 367…
Constitutional court disarms police on public meetings
The Constitutional court has nullified section 8 of the Public Order Management Act (POMA) that grants powers to police to block public meetings. Court nullified the section on grounds that it violates the constitutional freedom of assembly and the right to demonstrate peacefully. The nullified section grants discretionary powers to the inspector general…
Iran leader refuses US help to fight coronavirus
Iran's supreme leader refused US assistance Sunday to fight the new coronavirus, citing an unfounded conspiracy theory claiming the virus could be man-made by America. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's comments come as Iran faces crushing US sanctions blocking the country from selling its crude oil and accessing international financial markets. But…
Travellers stranded in Gulu as ban on public transport bites
Hundreds of travellers were left stranded in Gulu town on Wednesday night following a 14-day ban on public transport by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.On Wednesday Museveni announced a travel ban on public transport in order to curtail further spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country. Uganda currently has 14 confirmed…
This happens when you call toll-free lines
Okay, you wake up feeling tacky. Your throat hurts; maybe you have a cough. You are definitely anxious. What should you do? Can you get tested to rule out the novel coronavirus? Official advice is; if you feel sick, call these toll-free ministry of Health lines –0800100066 and 0800203033. This is what…
Scientists identify 69 drugs to test against coronavirus
Nearly 70 drugs and experimental compounds may be effective in treating the coronavirus, a team of researchers reported on Sunday night. Some of the medications are already used to treat other diseases, and repurposing them to treat Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, may be faster than trying to invent…
Tycoon Kiwanuka property saga extends to Court of Appeal
It is now six months since the once reclusive family of tycoon Mohan Kiwanuka became a media soap opera due to a protracted legal battle over property. Much as the central issue surrounds the mental state of the family patriarch and his capacity to make vital decisions of late, the legal…
Schools to become quarantine centres
After the shutdown of schools countrywide announced last week, some of their premises will be used as mandatory coronavirus quarantine centres, President Museveni has said. With 14 cases of Covid-19 confirmed so far in Uganda, President Museveni suggested on Sunday in a televised address that schools will offer space for temporary…