Dr. Nelson Naisye, the Buliisa District Health Officer-DHO said on Tuesday that the boat operators have been crossing to DRC to transport Congolese nationals with relatives in Uganda.
Some of the Transport boats on Lake Albert.At least 10 boat operators on Lake Albert in Buliisa district have been arrested by Health and Security operatives for allegedly sneaking Congolese nationals into the country illegally amidst the corona virus pandemic.
The boat operators were arrested over the weekend after they were implicated by residents for transporting passengers from the Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC into Uganda during the night hours.
Dr. Nelson Naisye, the Buliisa District Health Officer-DHO said on Tuesday that the boat operators have been crossing to DRC to transport Congolese nationals with relatives in Uganda.
He says the boat operators have been taking advantage on the restrictions on the Wanseko Panyimur ferry, which was only restricted to cargo to bring in people.
Users of the ferry come from far-flung places in North-eastern DRC and South Sudan, which have reported confirmed Covid19 cases. Dr. Naisye says since the ferry was stopped from carrying passengers, a number of boat operators connive with stranded passengers to sneak them into the country.
He says this undermines their efforts to fight against COVID-19. Julius Hakiza, the Albertine Region Police Spokesperson, says they have launched investigations into the matter, saying the suspects will be charged with disobedience of lawful orders once their investigations are complete.
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