Police officers at Masindi Police Barracks Covid-19 Quarantine Centre are reportedly suffering stigmatisation from members of the public from Masindi Town.
The more than 100 police officers attached to Masindi Central Police Station including the District Police Commander and their immediate family members were placed under a 14-day geographical quarantine after their colleague tested positive for coronavirus.
A police officer under quarantine who preferred anonymity told our reporter on phone that they are lacking essential commodities.
The officer added that when they are about to approach people near the barracks to bring them essential commodities, they are shunned lest they infect them with the virus.
“Whenever we are approaching people near the barracks including boda-boda riders and vendors to bring us commodities, they reject out money for fear that they might contract the virus due to the misconception that people under quarantine have the virus,” a police officer said.
This has left the police officers and their families suffering since they cannot access the necessary items they want.
acknowledged the stigmatisation.
“Even when one volunteers to buy commodities for the quarantined police officers, vendors at Masindi central market do not accept the money for fear of contracting the virus,” he said.
Last week, the Masindi Resident District Commissioner, Mr Martin Mugabi, revealed that 200 samples that were taken from people in the quarantine centres in the district tested negative.
Mr Mugabi, who is also the chairperson of the Masindi District Covid-19 Taskforce said the people under quarantine will be released after the 14 days of being monitored elapse.
The police officers and their families have so far spent nine days in quarantine that started on May 2, 2020.
