A section of the kitgum coronavirus taskforce committee members have blamed security forces of using highhanded measures in enforcing the ban. Kitgum Municipality Mayor Livings Walter Tooroma says implementation of the directiveS have been misinterpreted by security personnel who are instead harassing locals.
But officials at Kitgum Municipal Council say that the timeframe for procuring a contractor for the actual implementation of the project in June this year could be dragged behind schedule as a result of measures taken to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
Josephine Anying the hospital information officer told URN on Thursday that the initiative started last week to allow adequate spacing among visiting people seeking health care and reduces the risks of infections due to fresh air.
The Kitgum Resident District Commissioner, William Komakech, says the investigations follow concerns raised by health workers indicating that some members of the pubic are flocking some pharmacies, he didn’t name to procure fake drugs and vaccines claimed to cure Corona.
Dr Pamela Akot, the Medical Director St Joseph's Hospital Kitgum says the health worker went to the health facility on Tuesday and disclosed to her colleagues she had fever adding that tests for malaria and other ailment conducted on her all came out negative.
Many residents in Kitgum municipality, however, say inadequate water supply by National Water and Sewerage Corporation [NWSC] for the past one week has greatly affected hygiene practices.
The beds at Amuru Health Centre IV are being occupied by two South Sudanese nationals who travelled to Uganda from India via Dubai and Entebbe and two Airport taxi drivers who transported them to the district from Entebbe.
Jimmy Patrick Okema, the Aswa River Region Police Spokesperson told URN in an interview that those arrested include Wilfred Opira, the manager of Best Bet Otwer in Amuru district who was arrested on Sunday after he failed to close his betting center.
The suspect, identified as Charles Oloro, was arrested on the orders of the Lamwo Resident District Commissioner James Nabinson Kidega following a tip-off from residents and local leaders. He is now held at Madi Opei police outpost on tentative charges of disobeying lawful orders.
In many shops URN visited in Gulu, Agago and Kitgum districts, price of Habari table salt imported from Kenya sold in 500 grams’ packet had increased to Shillings 2,000 and 2,500 from 800 shillings. Salt packaged in 200 grams is now being sold at 1,500 shillings from 400 shillings.
William Komakech, the Kitgum Resident District Commissioner who is heading the Corona Virus Disease Task Force says they managed to track down the three who have since been placed on close watch.
In Gulu, Martin Oringa, the Disciplinary Chairperson of Gulu City Boda –Boda Association says that they have banned the cyclists from carrying more than one passenger which could expose them to contract the virus.
According to security personnel who handled the operation, the suspect who is reportedly a wife to a high ranking Uganda People Defense Force soldier also hit and injured an operative with a beer bottle during the scuffle.
David Opiyo, the KITODA Chairperson told Uganda Radio Network in an interview that they have raised a total of shillings 300,000 purchasing 10 water tanks for hand washing within the main bus park.
The Kitgum resident district commissioner William Komakech says formation of the task force is part of measures to contain the deadly epidemic that has continued to manifest across multiple countries internationally.
Security personnel told URN on Wednesday that the couple, a Ugandan national and her Nigerian Husband who all reside in Sweden, reportedly landed in Kenya and later proceeded to Uganda by road on March 5th.
Agnes Maturu Mabel, an Environmental officer at Ceylex Engineering [Pvt] Ltd told Uganda Radio Network that 90 turnbuckles each costing Shillings 200,000 have been stolen from concrete electricity poles recently in the sub counties of Labongo Amida and Kitgum Matidi by goons disguising as their engineers.
A caretaker of one of the victims told URN on condition of anonymity so as to speak freely on the matter that she has so far spent Shillings 60,000 to purchase antibiotic, pain relievers, gauze, and gloves to be used by medical personnel to treat her patient.
Dr Alfred Kinyera, the senior district veterinary officer, says the move to adopt artificial insemination is meant to boost the quality of the indigenous local livestock breeds which will be cross-bred with high-quality cattle breeds like Friesian, Jersey, Ayrshire Brown, Boran and Sahiwal among others.
Dr Geoffrey Okello, the Kitgum General Hospital Acting Superintendent acknowledged to URN in an interview on Monday that they are unable to provide hand washing facilities to clients because of their fixed budget.
He confirmed that there is still low level of sensitization about corona virus among the community members in the district coupled with limited medical supplies at the health facility.
