Uganda denies sending back coronavirus positive truck drivers

Uganda's health minister has denied that the country repatriated 14 truck drivers who tested positive for coronavirus.

The minister, Jane Aceng, said only one driver was repatriated and that 13 others left on their own.

On Monday, director general of health services, Dr Henry Mwebesa announced that 14 drivers returned to their countries.

The announcement triggered reactions from Kenyans and Tanzanians online prompting the minister to clarify that 13 of the drivers left Uganda of their own accord:

We are not sending back the positive truck drivers, Andrew. We isolate and treat them at our health facilities.
So far, we have 23 positive truck drivers. Out of these, 1 Tz truck driver was officially repatriated, 13 truck drivers both Kenyan and Tz exited Uganda on their own. https://t.co/CeM5bYkQe9

— Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng (@JaneRuth_Aceng) April 28, 2020

Uganda has so far reported 79 confirmed cases of coronavirus.

Several truck drivers who arrived in Uganda through its borders with neighbouring Kenya and Tanzania have tested positive.

The Kenyan government has since begun mandatory testing of long-distance drivers before they are allowed to leave the country.

The testing has caused a tailback on the Kenyan side of the border with Uganda with business people decrying losses caused by the delay.