Uganda: Outdoor Exercises Banned
Uganda has banned its citizens from exercising outdoors in an attempt to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
President Yoweri Museveni announced on Wednesday, 8 April, that jogging and “boda bodas” – motorcycle taxis that are currently permitted to ferry only cargo, and not passengers – will be banned effective immediately until further notice.
Museveni cautioned that his administration would be “very harsh with everyone who’s playing around”.
The presidential address follows a social media outcry on Saturday, 3 April, after many citizens posted images and videos of people jogging and working out in close proximity to one another.
The health ministry has consistently told Ugandans to remain at home and practise social distancing in order to prevent further cases of COVID-19; despite this, the authorities confirmed another case of COVID-19 yesterday, bringing the total number in the country to 53.
Over 3 600 people have been tested for the virus so far, according to official reports.
The landlocked east African country recently implemented a two-week nationwide lockdown.
