KAMPALA: The government has said all passengers coming into and leaving the country will no longer be required to do the mandatory COVID-19 tests at airports and border points.
Appearing before the parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, the Works and Transport minister, Gen Katumba Katumba, said the decision was to comply with a position taken by East African Community member states.
“Government has decided that there will be no more testing at the airport, it will be selective. If a traveller doesn’t have 72-hour results and has symptoms, then they will be picked to be tested, but testing every passenger that is coming in, it isn’t going to happen,” Gen Katumba said.
However, he didn’t specify when the new decision will take effect.
Travellers have been paying between $30 and $60 (Shs210,000) for single PCR test before leaving Entebbe airport or on arrival.
The mandatory pre-departure PCR tests, increased the cost of travel, and led to delayed results leading to crowding and anger at Entebbe International Airport and negative publicity online about Uganda’s handling of guests, particularly tourists.
