By Frank Kamuntu
Kampala: The Chairman of the Security Inter Agency Joint Task Force (IAJTF), Maj Gen Leopold Eric Kyanda, on Thursday led a team of 22 members of the IAJTF to inspect Port bell market and the management of the inland port amidst the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
Maj Gen Kyanda, who is also the Chief of Staff Land Forces of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces, commended the the two facilities for closely observing the COVID-19 guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health.
“So far, the market vendors and their customers are keenly observing social distancing and only a few people were not wearing their masks as recommended. There are also adequate hand washing facilities with soap that are appropriately being used,
We commend them for this and call on other market and operational landing site managements to do the same,” said General Kyanda.
He added that the IAJTF was also pleased to note that the port administration has guidelines to ensure that the crew of incoming ships and boats do not mix with the population.
Maj Gen Kyanda appealed to all Ugandans not to get tired of wearing their masks and observing all other measures because the threat at hand is still prevalent.
Kyanda Further urged Ugandans not to relax on following COVID-19 guidelines because Uganda has not yet registered any deaths saying that it has been achieved because of strict observance of the guidelines.
“It is not yet time to relax. Some people seem to be relaxing because Uganda has not yet registered any deaths due to COVID-19. We achieved this by strict observance of the guidelines so that the cases did not overwhelm our health systems. Hence, we have to continue observing the guidelines,” he said.
The IAJTF was formed in March 2020 to ensure enforcement of COVID-19 guidelines. The members of the IAJTF are Officers from the UPDF, Police, Prisons, Joint Intelligence Committee, Immigration and Customs.
The JTF further monitors the measures issued by the President and Commander-In-Chief and the Ministry of Health on prevention of the spread of Corona Virus.
