Security operatives in Kabale and Rubanda districts have come under fire after Health workers in the two areas accused them of harassment during enforcement of the COVID-19 guidelines.
Health workers argue that security personnel enforcing the Covid-19 guidelines detain them and impound their motor vehicles and motorcycles despite being essential workers and having proper identifications.
According to Lydia Kyomugisha a senior nursing officer at Muko Health Centre IV in Rubanda West County, Rubanda district, she has been lashed on several occasions by the police and Uganda Peoples Defense Forces-UPDF soldiers while she is heading to and from work.
she noted that since there are inadequate staff houses at the facility, most health workers live ten kilometers away from the facility, putting them in danger.
Rugarama Hospital Medical Superintendent Gilbert Mateeka also says that last week, he was intercepted by security personnel in Kabale town while on his way to attend to a Covid-19 patient who is under Home Care Management.
Despite presenting his work identity card and explaining where he was heading to, Mateeka says the security personnel kept a deaf ear arrested him and impounded his vehicle.
Dr Sophie Namasoppo, the Director of Kabale Regional Referral Hospital says that last week, the engineer who stays about 20, kilometres away in Maziba sub-county, refused to go to the facility to repair the hospital generator when it developed a mechanical problem, for fear of being beaten by security personnel.
Now, Alfred Besigensi the Kabale District Health Officer says that his office has received complaints of health workers being beaten by security officers who are enforcing Covid-19 guidelines and has tasked the security to explain.
However, Darius Nandinda, Kabale Resident District Commissioner and Kennedy Ssebagala, acting Kabale District Police Commander defended the actions of the security personnel, arguing that some health workers don’t move with work identifications for easy recognition. They also claim that some health workers give their vehicles to family members who misuse the travel permits.