In a bid to contain the spread of the Covid19, the Traffic Police announced Tuesday that they are going to pinning check points to monitor and arrest individuals defying the Standard Operating Procedures including passengers and drivers who do not possess vaccination cards.
While announcing the partial reopening of the economy during his New Years’ address to the nation, President Museveni ordered public transport to resume back to ther old norm of operating at full capacity on condition both the travelers and the operators are fully vaccinated, except those below 18 years of age.
As well, he said they ensure strict adherence to the necessary SOPs like wearing of masks and washing of hands.
Last week while responding to the same, the transport minister, Gen. Katumba Wamala stressed that all road users will be required to move with their vaccination cards.
Speaking about the same on Monday, ASP Faridah Nampiima the Traffic Police spokesperson said they have finalised with their plans to have spot checks on different roads to enforce the directive on vaccination cards.
Nampiima said the operations which will be conducted abruptly are soon commencing. As a result, she urged members of the general public to be compliant to avoid falling victims.
“To avoid inconveniences, all passenger service vehicle crew members including drivers and conductors are reminded to carry their vaccination cars and to advise their passengers to do the same,” Nampiima said.
“Also we they should continue observing Covid SOPs by wearing their facemasks at all times because the traffic police will be conducting spot checks for Covid SOP,” she added.
This however, comes at a time when a big number of Ugandans have been cited for acquiring forged vaccination cards from different printing spots.
The police spokesperson, Fred Enanga last week said they have already taken interest into concerns surrounding the manufacturing and forgery of COVID-19 vaccination cards with electronic devices especially along Nasser road and other places.
He noted that most of the perpetrators however, have gone underground, but assured that they will soon be rounded off and charged.
Enanga revealed that all Ministry of Health vaccination cards are stored in the database and this will be proven once the digital vaccine verification database is attained.
“We want to warn the public, especially unvaccinated but eligible persons and unscrupulous dealers that using fake COVID-19 vaccination cards bearing the Ministry of Health Logo is a crime,” Enanga said.
“Therefore, all those found with fake or falsified COVID-19 vaccination cards should know that they are in serious breach of the COVID-19 protocols and must be prepared to face serious punishments for conspiracy, forgery, utterance of false documents and for negligent acts likely to cause the spread of an infectious disease,” he added.