The Chairman of the Security Inter Agency Joint Task Force (IAJTF), Maj Gen Leopold Eric Kyanda has commended the market vendors operating at Port bell market and the management of the inland port for closely observing the COVID-19 guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health.

Maj Gen Kyanda who is also the Chief of Staff Land Forces of the Uganda Peoples’Defence Forces was leading a team of 22 members of the IAJTF who were inspecting the two facilities to ensure the MoH guidelines on prevention of COVID-19 are being followed.

“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.

“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.