KAMPALA – Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has suspended parliamentary sessions until Tuesday next week to fall victim to the massive effect of the new coronavirus.
Uganda has nine cases of coronavirus, but health experts have said that a big jump could be imminent, which would overwhelm the underfunded and crumbling public health infrastructure.
On Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Speaker Kadaga has asked MPs to work from home for a week and report for a plenary session on Tuesday next week.
“Members you can work from home, the house is adjourning to Tuesday next week,” the speaker said.
Ms. Kadaga had on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, ordered three MPs and two members of staff who were in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, recently to stay away from the precincts of the House.
The MPs are Kafeero Ssekitoleko (Nakifuma County), Cissy Namujju (Lwengo Woman) and Sempala Kigozi (Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipality). They have been advised to undergo mandatory quarantine.
The matter was raised by Jalia Bintu (Masindi Woman) who demanded that all MPs present for plenary be tested for COVID19 to re-assure the nation. She added that the above mentioned three MPs were in Parliament on Monday that Kigozi is alleged to have had a high temperature.
President Yoweri Museveni declared all schools and universities closed for 32 days and also banned all gatherings.
The virus, officially known as COVID-19, was first detected in Wuhan, China last December and has spread to at least 163 countries and territories. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak a pandemic.
The WHO declared Europe the new epicenter of the virus.
