Drivers abandon trucks over Covid-19 test fees

More than 30 truck drivers returning from neighbouring South Sudan have abandoned their vehicles at Elegu border in Atiak Sub-county, after the owners of the trucks declined to help them pay for the Covid-19 tests.

Truck drivers plying the Gulu-Nimule highway have asked government to reduce the fees for Covid-19 tests at Elegu border in Amuru District.

 Last month, the Ministry of Health introduced a Shs240,500 fee for Covid-19 tests for individuals including  truck drivers. 

 However, the truck drivers say the fee is too high as they only earn  about Shs300,000 per trip.

 They want 75 per cent  of the fee covered by government while they only contribute 25 per cent.
 
Some of the affected  drivers have reportedly handed over the keys of the abandoned vehicles to police at Elegu. 
Affected
The Uganda Professional Driver’s Network chairperson, Mr Omongo Ndugu, said they are concerned about the health, safety and welfare of the truck drivers who were permitted to operate even during the Covid-19 induced lockdown.

“Most truck drivers are sole bread winners of their families. They work under pressure from their bosses, who sometimes pay them small amount of money for survival while on the road,” Mr Omongo said.

 He said on average, a truck driver earns 300,000 per trip yet they cover long distances before reaching  their final destinations.

 Mr Nichodem Mwezi Mayombo, the Elegu border internal security officer,  said they have beefed up security at the border point to avert illegal entry by truck drivers.

 Mr Mayombo revealed that  the number of the health workers has also been boosted to quicken the process of sample collection at the busy border point.

 “We shall not harass the truck drivers but we shall make sure all of them comply with the government directives,” Mr Mayombo said.

   Mr Stephen Muhwezi, the national chairperson of Uganda Long Distance and Heavy truck drivers Association,  said more than 4,000 truck drivers enter Uganda every day.

Mr Muhwezi said the burden of footing Covid-19 test bill  will force most of them out of business as they only make two trips a month.

 Mr Adam Habibu, a truck driver, said the authorities in South Sudan  charge additional Shs50,000 for verification of Covid-19 results issued by health workers in Uganda before they are allowed entry into the country.

 “We are stressed and tired considering the manner in which the authorities both in Uganda and South Sudan handle us, we are human beings who deserve to be treated fairly,” Mr Habibu said.

 However, Mr Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the spokesperson of Ministry of Health, advised the truck drivers to channel their complaints through recognised driver’s associations in order to be helped.

 An enforcement officer with the  Uganda Revenue Authority at Elegu border, who spoke to Saturday Monitor on condition of anonymity, said they have recorded a decline in revenue collection at the border point since the introduction of Covid-19 testing fees.

 “The number of trucks that we clear at the border point have reduced because some truck drivers cannot afford to pay the Covid-19 charges and they have opted to do business in other countries.

 Other categories  that pay for the  Covid-19 test include Ugandans who want to know their Covid-19 status, and travellers entering the country.

 Since the lockdown, there has been three botched strikes by truck drivers at Elegu boarder point. The previous ones were caused by delayed clearance at the point before crossing to South Sudan, and getting into Uganda.
editorial @ug.nationmedia.com