Table 1 List of the Rules developed and used to control COVID-19 in Uganda, 2020–2021
Sections of the Act, Rules and Orders (n = 4) | Title of the Rules and Orders (n = 22) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Minister’s power to notify – Sect. 10 | 1) Public Health (Notification of COVID-19) Order, No. 45 of 2020 | The Order declared COVID-19 a notifiable disease. |
Control of COVID-19 – Sects. 11 and 27 | 1) Public Health (Control of COVID-19) Rules, No. 52 of 2020 2) Public Health (Control of COVID-19) (No.2), Rules, No. 55 of 2020 3) Public Health (Control of COVID-19) (Amendment) Rules, No. 57 of 2020 4) Public Health (Control of COVID-19) (No. 2) (Amendment) Rules, No. 58 of 2020 5) Public Health (Control of COVID-19) (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules, No. 63 of 2020 6) Public Health (Control of COVID-19) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 2) Rules, No. 64 of 2020 7) Public Health (Control of COVID-19) (Amendment No. 4) Rules, No. 79 of 2020 8) Public Health (Control of COVID − 19) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 4) Rules, No. 80 of 2020 9) Public Health (Control of COVID-19) Rules, No. 83 of 2020 10) Public Health (Control of COVID-19) (Amendment) Rules, No. 94 of 2020 11) Public Health (Control of COVID-19) (Amendment No. 2) Rules, No. 112 of 2020 12) Public Health (Control of COVID-19) Rules, 2021, No. 38 of 2021 13) Public Health (Control of COVID-1919) (Amendment No.1) Rules, No. 59 of 2021 | These Rules were made after the declaration of COVID-19 a notifiable disease. These were Rules governing the Non-Pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) i.e. community quarantine including closure of congregate settings such as schools, places of worship, markets, shopping malls, arcades, bars and cinemas. Additionally, marriage ceremonies, vigils, funerals were restricted, and the sports events or group exercising were specifically prohibited. These Rules provided for exemptions for “essential services and workers”, for example medics, legal and insurance. The amendment of the Rules was based on levels of the outbreaks, for example, re-opening of schools and closing them. |
Powers to enforce precautions at borders – Sect. 36 | 1) Public Health (Prevention of COVID-19) (Requirements and Conditions of Entry into Uganda) Order, No. 46 of 2020 2) Public Health (Requirements and Conditions of Entry into Uganda) (Amendment) Order, No. 37 of 2021 | These Order guided testing, medical examination, quarantine and other infection prevention and control measures at border points: land, water and airports. |
Prohibition of entry into Uganda – Sect. 36 | 1) Public Health (Prohibition of Entry into Uganda) Order, No. 53 of 2020 2) Public Health (Prohibition of Entry into Uganda) (Amendment) Order, No. 56 of 2020 3) Public Health (Prohibition of Entry into Uganda) (Amendment No. 2) Order, No. 65 of 2020 4) Public Health (Prohibition of Entry into Uganda) (Amendment No. 4) Order, No. 81 of 2020 5) Public Health (Prohibition of Entry into Uganda) Order, No. 84 of 2020 6) Public Health (Prohibition of Entry into Uganda) (Revocation) Order, No. 113 of 2020 | These Rules generally closed Uganda’s borders, restricted the number of persons in cargo vessels, vehicles or aircrafts, restricted entry of persons infected with COVID-19 and administered their isolation/quarantine, treatment and care. |