By Spy Uganda
In the bid for government to further prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) by truck drivers and operators, the Prime Minister’s office and Ministry of Works and Transport, have issued stringent regulations for all cargo truck drivers in Uganda.
The resolutions were carried following a high level meeting between President Yoweri Museveni and the COVID-19 National Task Force led by Premier Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, after the Ministry of Health observed that most of the new Coronavirus infections are truck drivers who are both local and foreign.
Here below are the new regulations for truck drivers which will help the government in the combat against the spread of the killer Coronavirus;
OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT FOR THE NATIONAL TASK FORCE
Resolutions from the Trade and Transport National Task force sub-committee meeting of 24th April, 2020
The meeting has agreed as follows;
1. Have one driver per truck for all transit trucks. This will operate for the next 4 weeks after which the relay system for drivers will be adopted. However, the ready transporters are encouraged to having relay drivers within different countries.
2. Have designated stop areas with a maximum 3 per route. (Route 1: From Kenya, Namboole, lukaya, Ntungamo/Ishaka, to the border), (route 2: From Kenya, Soroti, Kamdin corner/URA offices, to the border), (Route 3: from Tanzania to kampala, to karuma, Pakwach, to border), (Route 4: to DRC, from Namboole to Mubende, fort portal then to Border), (route 5: to DRC, stop over at Ishaka to the border)
3. All cargo in bound and out bound transit cargo trucks should follow the same journey management plan indicated above.
4. No diversions of cargo trucks off the designated routes.
5. All other previous stop points for cargo trucks (such as tororo, Mbale, Lira, Kamdin corner town, Mbiko, Naluwerere, Lyantonde, Namawojoro, Sanga, Ruti, Migeera, Luweero among others) are all declared illegal with immediate effect.
6. All Agencies including MoH should operate 24 hours at Malaba, Mutukula and Busia
7. Reinforce border patrols and surveillance at all illegal entry points.
8. Freight forwarders commit to pay for testing kits. Modalities for the payment will be worked out between the private sector and the MoH.
9. Consider using Rail and water transport for fuel and other dry cargo. However, URC should be supported for logistical needs including locomotives.
10. Domestic trucks should have a maximum of two people (Only have one driver and the cargo owner/representative of the cargo owner)
11. Government should procure 5000 more e-seals for the regional electronic cargo tracking system for URA.
12. A Truck driver is required to have and use Personal Protective equipment (PPE) and sanitizers.
