KAMPALA – Police have arrested 20 pupils and teachers of Kabojja Junior School – Kitante branch for attending and conducting lesions contrary to government guidelines in the face of coronavirus.
The pupils were arrested on Monday, March 23, 2020, in an operation by the Kampala Metropolitan Police commander.
Mr Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, confirmed the arrest.
“We have them with us and we are going to find out why they are going against the presidential directive to close schools,” he said.
Several priests and pastors from different parts of Uganda were on Sunday arrested by a joint security team for allegedly defying President Museveni’s directive against holding religious gatherings in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
President Museveni on Wednesday suspended religious, cultural and political gatherings for at least 32 days on grounds that it would help prevent the spread of the pandemic which has forced nearly one billion people around the world confined to their homes, as the death toll crossed 13,000.
Uganda on Saturday reported its first case of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).
Health Minister Ruth Jane Aceng said the confirmed case is a 36-year-old Ugandan man who arrived from Dubai on Saturday at 2am aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
On Saturday, President Yoweri Museveni announced that Uganda was closing all its border points to prevent people from crossing into the country in a bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
“Humans crossing into Uganda from the different border points are prohibited going forward. This is until we find coordination at the East African level. Please stay where you are. We are not against anyone but this is about manageability,” President Museveni said on Twitter.
To report any suspected cases, please call the Ministry of Health’s toll-free lines on 0800-203-033 and 0800-100-066 or the following officers – Mr. Atek Kagirita 0782 909 153, Dr. Allan Muruta- 0772 460 297.