There is panic at Rubanda Government Prison in Rubanda Town Council,
Rubanda District after one of the inmates tested positive for the novel Coronavirus – COVID-19.
The inmate is currently undergoing treatment at Kabale Regional
Referral Hospital in Kabale District.
The inmate, whose identity has been withheld, is among the 14 inmates
who were transferred to Rubanda Prisons from Kisoro District on
Saturday.
Dr Abdon Birungi, the Rubanda District Health Officer says that upon
receiving information that one of the prisoners was detained at Kisoro
Police Station where a Covid-19 patient was reported last week, they
decided to carry out testing for all 14 prisoners who were transferred
from Kisoro and one of them tested positive for Coronavirus.
Dr Birungi says that all inmates who have been in the prison have been
put into isolation for the next two weeks.
Frank Baine , the Uganda Prisons Spokesperson told our reporter on the
phone that he has not received information about the issue. He however
added that they are ready to handle the issue to contain the spread of
the disease.
“I haven’t heard about that one, but you know testing positive nowadays is normal especially for those inmates coming from Police and the general public. Those we cannot control so we will handle them and ensure they don’t spread the virus inside the prisons.” Baine said.
