Top government officials have sat at State House Entebbe to discuss the possible reopening of the remaining sectors of the economy, hours before the President prepares to speak to the Nation today.
On June 4th, government allowed public transport to resume work as a means of easing COVID-19 restrictions after more than two months of a total lockdown. The lockdown was announced as one of the measures to control the spread of COVID-19.
However, bodaboda, saloons, arcades, and bars businesses have remained closed, alongside churches, schools, and other public gatherings. This has been the basis of criticism for government and President Yoweri Museveni in particular.
Mr. Museveni argued in his last national address on COVID-19, that those businesses which are still under lock are those where guidelines on social distancing cannot be enforced.
Last week, Amelia Kyambadde the Minister of Trade and Cooperatives announced that up to 48 arcades in Kampala had been recommended for reopening, but were awaiting a decision from the President.
This came after inspections undertaken by Kampala Capital City Authority, the Ministry of Trade, together with various trader’s associations to ensure that arcades adhere to the guidelines set by the Ministry of Health to keep coronavirus disease at bay.
The meeting at State House this morning brought Parliamentary business as key government officials especially Ministers failed to show up, only indicating that they were attending an urgent meeting at State House.
The Physical Infrastructure Committee of Parliament which was supposed to meet the office of the Attorney General to discuss the mandatory vehicle inspection contract by SGS was most affected.
According to committee Chairperson Robert Kafeero Ssekitoleko, the Attorney General William Byaruhanga had sent regrets to the committee over the same.
