Uganda confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on 21 March 2020. The country had until then not recorded a positive case despite the growing number of COVID-19 cases being reported by the neighbouring countries. The country has been hailed by many observers worldwide for its preparedness which many attribute to lessons learnt from battles against diseases like Ebola Virus Disease and Marburg Virus Disease.¹ The Ministry of Health with support from partners has put in place a comprehensive response plan that is guiding ongoing preparedness and response activities.

On 18, 21 and 22 March 2020, President Yoweri Museveni addressed the nation and issued a number of directives. The directives are to the effect that:

1. No person, Ugandan or otherwise, will be allowed to enter Uganda by air, land or water with effect from 12 a.m. 23 March 2020 except for the drivers and accompanying crews (not exceeding three in number) for cargo vehicles. All passenger planes have been prohibited from either leaving or coming into Uganda. Only cargo planes will be allowed into the country. No buses, motorcycles (“boda bodas”) and pedestrians will be allowed to enter and leave Uganda.
2. Every person who enters the country before the travel ban will be subjected to mandatory quarantine at designated places.
3. Public transport is allowed to continue but Ugandans have been advised to avoid it unless it is absolutely necessary.
4. All Primary and Secondary schools, Universities and Tertiary Institutions are closed for one-month, effective 20 March 2020.
5. Religious gatherings i.e. prayers in Churches, Mosques, open air prayers and services on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays were suspended for one month with effect from 18 March 2020.
6. Political or cultural mass meetings ─ public rallies, conferences, elections, etc. are forbidden for 32 days from 18 March 2020.
7. Weddings of more than 10 people are suspended from 32 days from 18 March 2020. The Government has recommended that burials are done by only close relatives who are within the proximity of the deceased. If the deceased is/was suspected of dying from the corona-virus, the State will take over the burial arrangements.
8. Discotheques, bars, sports, music shows, cinemas and concerts are suspended for 32 days from 18 March 2020.
9. The Government has allowed non-agricultural work places: factories, hotels, large plantations, markets, taxi-parks, etc. to continue functioning but with Standard Operating Procedures issued by the Ministry of Health. These include compulsory hand washing by all persons who enter or exit those work places. Anybody with symptoms of sickness should not be allowed access for any reason and employers have been encouraged to install temperature monitors.
10. Farmers’ markets have been suspended for 32 days from 18 March 2020.

Actions taken by local authorities in response to the Directives

In compliance with the Directives:

• The office of the Chief Justice announced the suspension of court hearings from 20 March 2020 for a period of 32 days. Court will continue to handle certificates of urgency and take pleas for serious cases and bail applications with only applicants, their lawyers and sureties allowed in the courtroom. Parties with cases at submission stage are advised to file written submissions. The Land Division of the High Court has also issued measures that allowing hearing of urgent matters and delivery of judgments and rulings on notice to proceed.
• The Uganda Registration Services Bureau continues to conduct registrations but has put in place measures such as ensuring all employees use gloves and face masks and ensuring that all customers sanitise and have their body temperature measured before interacting with staff.
• The Ministry of Internal Affairs announced procedures which include online applications for passports, work permits, special passes, dependent passes and other immigration facilities and health & security measures including mandatory body temperature measurement and handwashing for persons seeking the Ministry’s services.
• The Central Bank of Uganda has announced that it will undertake measures to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19. These include waiving limitations on restructuring of credit facilities at financial institutions that may be at risk of going into distress and engaging Mobile Network Operators and commercial banks to further reduce fees on mobile money transactions and other digital payment charges.

What this means for you

• You cannot travel into or outside of Uganda until the travel restrictions are lifted. If you are a foreigner, you will need to ensure that your entry visa or residence status remains valid for the duration of the travel restrictions.
• You cannot attend court for a period of 32 days from 20 March 2020, unless you are applying for or have obtained a certificate of urgency or are applying for bail or taking plea for a serious offence.
• You can, for the time being, proceed with stamping and registration formalities in respect of any real estate matter or commercial transaction.
• Except for restrictions placed on specific businesses or work places, you may continue to operate your business. However, the Ministry of Health Standard Operating Procedures such as mandatory handwashing, measurement of body temperature and restricting access to persons who display symptoms should be implemented.

How we can support you

We are monitoring the developments around the COVID-19 Pandemic and remain available to advise on their impact on your business. We also have the technological capacity to work remotely, should the need arise, such that we can continue to service our clients' needs.

We are part of a global firm that operates and serves client needs in 75 countries, including virtually every location where COVID-19 has already had a serious impact. Since the beginning of this public health threat, as the world’s largest law firm, we have been consulting with leading public health organizations and working to ensure our firm has the agility and resilience to protect its people and continue to be fully available to meet our clients’ needs around the world. 

Internally, we swiftly activated our Global Pandemic Preparedness Task Force to ensure that all our people and our clients are able to take advantage of the most current and advanced thinking, resources, best practices and talent pool available to manage and mitigate the impact of the virus as it spreads around the world.

We have a deep breadth of talent and expertise in the Kampala office we are able to obtain support from other Dentons offices around the world if necessary to advise on the following areas:

• Employment considerations, including employer protection responsibilities, data privacy, flexible working policies, remuneration, response to diagnosis, shutdowns, employment term adjustments, employment claims, immigration and related matters;
• Supply chain interruption and delivery delays;
• Government regulations and their implications;
• Commercial contracts and insurance-related questions, including force majeure, material adverse change, cancellation and related inquiries;
• Restructuring and insolvency including distressed acquisitions of assets or an entire business line;
• Immigration issues;
• Loan renegotiations and restructurings; and
• Development and/or refinement of business continuity plans.

We have best practice business continuity processes in place across Dentons, and we remain open and fully available to our clients and colleagues during this time.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about our own preparedness or if we can be of assistance in ensuring your ability to address these new challenges. 

We will continue to provide updates as they become available.

1. World Health Organisation, “Uganda Uses Recent Outbreak Experience to Prepare for Coronavirus”. The Independent: “Timeline of Uganda’s Response to COVID-19”.↩