Johannesburg - The minister of finance, planning and economic development in Uganda, Matia Kasaija, said on Wednesday that government was in the final stages of setting up several schools in Entebbe as quarantine centres for possible Covid-19 patients.
Kasaija's statements followed concerns raised by members of parliament on Tuesday about the high costs being incurred by those being isolated in hotels.
It has been reported that persons under isolation in Entebbe hotels were paying US$100 per day.
The minister said that treasury was grappling with other concerns and was not in a position to foot the bills, as had been suggested.
"We realised that this was too expensive for these people to afford. They will soon be transferred to schools in Entebbe that have been identified to host them at no cost," said Kasaija.
According to the country's ministry of health, there are over 1800 people under quarantine in Uganda, with nine positive Covid-19 cases reported.
President Yoweri Museveni has directed that Entebbe Airport be closed to prevent any potential imports of the virus.
He has also called for limited travel within the country and emphasised hand washing and the use of sanitisers as measures to contain the spread of the virus.