By Sarah Namukisa
KAMPALA – On March 14, 2020, bar businesses came to a standstill after the government imposed a lockdown on the whole country with the aim of stopping the spread of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic.
Most businesses have been, either partial or fully re-opened but bars remain in the lockdown.
Aaron Kagimu – a bar attendant at Orange Bar in Nalukolongo says government should allow their business to operate, claiming that situation could lead to increase of crime in the country since parents who work in bars are also looking for ways of how to get money to cater for their families.
“Where we are heading might be dangerous, people who don’t have money want to take back their children to school, so expect robberies to increase,” asserts Kagimu.
He adds that although government is going to reopen schools without lifting the lockdown that is still imposed on some businesses like bars, many children were likely to fail going back to school owing to the fact their parents nolonger work.
Julian Sanyu – another bar attendant at Africans’ bar in Mityana says, the lockdown caught them unawares so there was no time for them to prepare. She also urges the government to lift the lockdown on bars since she has some pupils to cater for as well as candidates that need school fees.
“I urge the president to look through this matter and at least put measures we have to put in place as we are working,” suggests Sanyu, adding; “All measures have been put in place like social distancing, temperature guns, sanitizers and creating enough space and we can provide face masks to all our clients.”
Ministry of Health spokesperson, Emmanuel Ainebyona said in a phone interview that bars will have to wait until vaccines arrive into the country. According to the Healty ministry, government will start immunising selected categories of Ugandans on Friday.
While updating the country on covid-19, President Yoweri Museveni said technicians from Ministry of Health were still analyzing the situation and will later give a recommendation on whether bars should be opened.