The Chairman Amuru district Micheal Lakony has expressed worry that illegal entry and exit into and out of Uganda at Elegu at the Uganda- South Sudan could lead to a rise in Coronavirus cases.
Mr Lakony expressed his concerns in an interview with Acholi Times on Wednesday, the same day the Ministry of Health announced that Uganda has registered five more cases, bringing the total number of Convid 19 patients to 14.
Among the new cases is of a 57-year-old trader who runs a business in Elegu. The patient is hospitalized at Adjumani. The Health Ministry said he had no recent history of travel abroad.
The other patients include two Chinese nationals who were recently arrested in Zombo districts as they attempted to cross into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from Uganda.
Mr Lakony said he had received information that people are eluding security checks to enter and exit Uganda by swimming across River Unyama which divides the two countries. After crossing the river, the illegal entries then pass through Attiak Sugar works plantation and enter Attiak Sub County in Amuru.
Water levels at River Unyama is currently low due to little rainfall making it easier to swim across.
President Museveni directed the closure of Uganda’s borders over the dangers posed by Covid 19 three days ago.