KAMPALA — A Ugandan lawmaker Faith Alupo has died Tuesday after she reportedly contracted the novel coronavirus, the first Member of Parliament in the country to succumb to the virus as it’s spread ramps up across the country.
The MP, a Woman resprentative of Pallisa District, passed on from Mulago National Referral Hospital, at a section gazetted to treat VVIP Covid-19 patients, sources said on Tuesday.
Parliament is yet issue an official communication to this development.
Last month, parliament spokesperson Hellen Kaweesa said up to four MPs were confirmed to have been infected with COVID-19.
In total, Uganda’s health ministry has declared around 5000 coronavirus cases, of whom close to 60 have died and 2000 recovered.
Uganda has seen a recent spike in new infections, having seen an initial slow rise in its caseload.
Continentally, the number of confirmed COVID-19 infections stood at 1,353,283 with 32,625 deaths, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
Uganda’s latest figures come as the World Health Organization urged countries to remain vigilant and keep track of possible mutation of the virus.
“As we continue to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa, being able to not only track its evolution, but also assess the possible mutation of the virus is crucial to mounting an effective response,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Through this new laboratory network dedicated to genome sequencing we can better develop vaccines and treatment which are tailored to Africans and eventually bring COVID-19 under control.”
