Only 14 of the 160 COVID-19 Cases at Parliament were MPs

Only 14 of the 160 people who tested positive for COVID-19 during recent events held at parliament, were elected Members of Parliament.        

More than 3,000 people were tested for COVID-19 as part of the clearance to attend the different Parliamentary events this month. The events included the election of the Speaker on May 24, the State of the Nation Address by President Museveni on June 4, and Budget Reading on June 10.    

The tested people included MPs, staff of parliament, police, staff of the Internal Security Organization (ISO), Special Forces Command (SFC), Service Providers, Journalists, prisons staff, and other invited guests. However, initial reports indicated that up to 200 legislators had tested positive for the virus.

Now Parliaments Director Communications and Public Affairs Chris Obore has said that only 14 MPs tested positive for COVID-19  and none of them has been hospitalized. Obore says that 40 people tested positive during the Election of the Speaker which was the first event, 50  for the State of the Nation address and 70 during the Budget reading.      

Without disclosing the other category of the people most affected, Obore said that only two members of staff are currently hospitalized, while a few are recovering from home because they were showing no symptoms. He added that the move to disinfect parliament is just precautionary because the place hosts at least 1,000 people every day. 

“In fact, most MPs and staff who tested positive have since recovered. It is not true therefore that 200 MPs are positive and or hospitalized as reported. The closure of Parliament for two weeks is a precautionary measure taken for the safety of everyone.” Obore says, adding that it is important to remain accurate while dealing with COVID-19 numbers saying it is alarming to give wrong details.

Meanwhile, entry to Parliament has been further restricted with a directive from the Clerk to Parliament Jane Kibirge not to allow anyone in.