Ugandan President on Sunday ordered the closure of schools for 42 days starting Monday as the country as part of tighter measures introduced to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

The president ordered teachers to use the break to get vaccinated as it will be a requirement for their return to work.

Museveni also imposed a ban on religious gatherings and conferences for 42 days, except cabinet, legislature and judiciary sittings.

Uganda's Ministry of Health on Sunday reported 1,259 new COVID-19 cases out of 7,289 samples tested, the highest figure since the government declared a second wave of infections and deaths had hit the country.

The East African country now has a total of 52,935 infections with 383 virus-related deaths.

Uganda launched its mass COVID-19 vaccination program on March 10, prioritizing essential groups, starting with healthcare workers followed by teachers and those in high-risk groups, including the elderly.