Covid-19 cases high in prison, police

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Security agencies are experiencing an increase in the number of their personnel infected with Covid-19. The personnel are either hospitalized or seeking treatment from their homes.

Figures from sources including those already confirmed show security agencies among others, Uganda Prisons Service- UPS, Uganda People’s Defence Forces-UPDF and Uganda Police Force-UPF, have registered an increase in Covid-19 positive cases since the start of this month.

The Prisons Spokesperson Frank Baine says that there has been an increase in new Covid-19 cases in recent days. For instance, by June 14 which is barely a fortnight ago, the cumulative Covid-19 cases stood at 1,200 but they are currently standing at 1,312. The figures from the prisons service include prisoners, staff and their relatives.

Baine explains that the 1,312 figures include all cases registered since last year in March. Of these, 1,175 are prisoners, staff are 106 while only 30 relatives of staff have been infected with Covid-19.

Although UPDF and Police have not given the latest figures, sources said over 70 soldiers are being treated at Bombo and other military-related health facilities battling Covid-19. UPDF Spokesperson Brig Flavia Byekwaso did not pick our calls nor respond to our texts inquiring about Covid-19 figures.

Several police officers who spoke to URN said many of their colleagues in the junior and senior category are in hospitals receiving treatment for Covid-19. Other police officers have confirmed to URN that they are being treated from home with Covid-19.

“I was diagnosed with Covid-19 on June 7th and I am at home receiving treatment. I am not alone, I know very many of my fellow police officers who are being treated in hospitals. At least I know 13 police officers who tested positive last week,” a police officer at the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police said.

At the launch of the Covid-19 vaccination for police officers, AIGP Dr Moses Byaruhanga, who is director of police health services, said police had recorded 167 Covid-19 cases since last year but only six had succumbed to the disease.

Unconfirmed figures from police officers say the figures now stand at 330. But Byaruhanga did not respond to our telephone and text inquiries.

Kira Road division police commander- DPC SP Matthias Turyasingura and Kampala 999 Patrol commander SSP Samuel Bamuzibire have died of Covid-19 in the last four weeks.

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