The Uganda
police force leadership has resolved to quarantine all the police officers
residing in Masindi police barracks after one of their colleagues tested
positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Friday.
Among the positive cases registered on Friday this
week was a police constable who is also a detective and resident of Masindi
police barracks.
The unnamed official tested positive during the
ministry of Health’s rapid testing survey started this week to detect the virus
spread among the community. The survey will be a basis for the next cause of
action as the country nears to ending the countrywide lockdown on May 5.
Polly Namaye, the deputy police spokesperson says
quarantining all the 104 officers and their family members living in Masindi
police barracks is part of the resolutions made in the virtual meeting intended
to devise means of containing the spread of the virus.
The meeting was attended by
director force’s medical services, AIGP Dr Moses Byaruhanga, director
operations services AIGP Asuman Mugenyi, and deputy director logistics senior
commissioner Ann Tusiime.
Police said it has since resolved
to replace all police officers at Masindi police station and that
reinforcements have been from other stations to ensure that the station remains
fully operational.
Namaye says the logistics
directorate that is headed by senior commissioner Richard Edyegu, will attend
to the logistical needs of all the officers under mandatory quarantine until
the ministry of Health clears them.
“All officers and their families
under quarantine shall be tested for the virus and further measures shall be
communicated to ensure safety of all people wishing to access police services
at our stations,” said Namaye.
Police have reminded all police
officers to exercise precaution while going about their duties to avoid
contracting COVID-19. A section of Ugandans has often pointed to a level laxity
exhibited by the security officers while enforcing lockdown and curfew
guidelines. This week, a video emerged online showing officers at Malaba border
taking bribes and handling truck doors without any protective gear.
Last week, the Agago district police commander
(DPC), Samson Lubega was arrested on allegations of defying the presidential
ban on social gatherings after he attended a party of over 30 revellers as
'chief guest'.
Despite an existing preventive measure on social
distancing, police and army officers are often seen bundled en masse on trucks
without any protection. Uganda now has 88 confirmed cases of COVID -19 of which
52 have been discharged.
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