Unvaccinated Ugandans will be restricted, says government

Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Minister for ICT and National Guidance, said that the cabinet decided that this measure was necessary to curb the spread of Covid-19. 

“We (cabinet) approved a recommendation from the Ministry of Health to extend the vaccination mandate to different categories of workers. A vaccine mandate means if you are not vaccinated, businesses, schools or workspaces and others can legally stop you from accessing their services if they choose to,” Dr. Chris Baryomunsi said. 

“This means that we (government) shall not compel Ugandans to get vaccinated. Getting vaccinated is voluntary but workplaces, business premises, organisers of events have rights legally to stop you from accessing those areas if you have not been vaccinated,” he added. 

As the specter of Omicron, a variant of Covid-19, looms large over the nation the Ministry of Health says that these new measures are essential in warding off the threat of Omicron. 

So far, according to Ministry of Health data, there have been only 25 cases of the Omicron variant and no fatalities.  

Nonetheless, the Ministry of Health is saying these new restrictions must begin with unvaccinated Cabinet members, MPs, Health Workers, Security Officers and Social Workers. This will set the tone for managing the new Covid-19 variant by having leaders and persons in authority serve as examples for everyone else to follow. 

Again, unvaccinated persons in the hospitality sector as well as operators of public spaces such as bars, hotels and restaurants should also be the first to be restricted by these new measures. 

Ms. Anifa Kawooya, the state minister for health-in-charge of General Duties, described what she called self-restriction and the vaccine mandate as major weapons in combating Covid-19 and keeping the population safe. 

“We are emphasising more of restrictions, self-restriction. This means that if you want to go to the church, ensure that you are vaccinated. Why do you want to endanger other people or yourself by refusing to take the vaccine?” she asked.