By Spy Uganda
Kampala: On July 22, 2020, HE Yoweri Kaguta Museveni eased lockdown and okayed the city arcades to operate while observing both presidential directives and Ministry of Health Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in a bid to curb the deadly Coronavirus.
However, according to the latest information from the Joint Security Taskforce on COVID-19 it is revealed that a number of arcades are not obeying to the set directives and SOPs and these are 25 shopping complexes including;
Nansamba Arcade, E Tower, Superior Complex, Sun City Plaza, Zainabu Aziza Plaza, Mini Price Plaza, Kasiiwukira Plaza, Qualicell House, God’s Grace Arcade, Majestic Plaza, Rafic Arcade, Ssembatya Arcade, White House Arcade, Qualicel Arcade, French Plaza, Total Plaza, Shamba Arcade, Trade Link Complex, Trans Nile Link plaza, Boost House, Rutunga House, Kabale Arcade, Batia Tower, Skylight Arcade and Shauriako Plaza.
While addressing the press yesterday at Uganda Media Center, the Uganda Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga confirmed the act of these city arcades’ operators saying “We are generating this report to ensure that sanctions are taken against them and we are coming up with this new arrangement of naming and shaming.”
The SOPs that may not lead these acardes into closure over failure to follow them include hand washing facilities, using temperature guns to check everybody entering the premises and enforcing wearing of face masks and social distancing among others.
In the same vein, Enanga applauded another set of arcades that are said to be enforcing all the MoH SOPs and these include;
Mukwano mall, Mackay mall, Equatorial mall, Tropical plaza, Sanana supermarket, Kooki tower, Urban supermarket, Mabirizi Plaza, Collins books and media Centre, Prism plaza, Arua park plaza, People’s plaza, Modern Shoplex, Kati Kati plaza, Zaid plaza, Greenhouse Shops, King Fahad Plaza, Titanic Plaza, London Chambers, Prime Complex, Monday Towers, The Mall, Ivory Plaza, Mutaasa Kafeero plaza, Bamako House, Namaganda Plaza, Master Electronic Plaza, Sure House, Tweze Plaza and Grand Corner House.
In addition, Enanga revealed that there are also some bus terminals that have been vigilant and preventing the transmission of the virus and these include;
Namayiba bus terminal, Link bus terminal, Global bus terminal, Kalita bus terminal, Gaagaa bus terminal, Uganda bus terminal, Baby Coach bus terminal, New taxi park, Namirembe bus park and Usafi taxi park as also being compliant in implementing the SOPs.
He added that police is on going to intensify their operations of arresting and impounding motor vehicles and boda bodas that are flouting the rules. Last week, Police in Kampala Metropolitan Area impounded 1,363 boda bodas for not following SOPs such as not carrying more than one passenger and moving past the 6PM curfew time. At regional level, Enanga pointed out Moroto district as leading in enforcing coronavirus restrictions.
Enanga said, “Every vehicle that enters Moroto district is taken through a thorough screening process,” he said adding, “As you enter you all come out, they use a temperature gun to check each and every one, they inspect the vehicles to see whether they are carrying the right number of passengers and also ensuring that whoever is entering Moroto district has a face mask.”
