MISSION: Uganda Blog Update 09-22-2020

Hiya folks! Naturally, as soon as I send an update out, the President of Uganda finally speaks to the lockdown issue. It’s like carrying an umbrella with you everywhere, but the one time you leave it home, that’s when it rains. Anyway, there have been some promising changes to the China Virus restrictions in Uganda.

According to the US Embassy website:

“The Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that Entebbe International Airport will reopen to regularly scheduled commercial traffic effective October 1, though service may be at a level reduced from that provided prior to the closure in March.  Tourists will be permitted to arrive provided they show a negative COVID-19 test taken not more than 72 hours before arrival and as long as the tour operators ensure that tourists do not mix with Ugandans but travel straight to their tourist destinations, or transit hotels.  Returning Ugandans who have a negative COVID-19 test will be permitted to go to their homes.  The Ministry of Health will acquire home addresses of such arrivals for follow-up purposes.”

KLM (our airline) is not resuming regular flights to Entebbe until November. In any case, I need to observe how they organize things for a while to make sure they get the bugs all worked out, and that there is not a repeat lockdown if there is an uptick in cases. At the moment, it looks like we would not be forced to quarantine in Kampala for 16 days like they were doing before, but can go directly to our house in Mbarara. Which is awesome.

So right now, my original plan still holds – wait until after the US Election and see how things develop, then make a decision. We should be back before the end of the year, unless something changes, again.

Thanks for praying!