The Parliament will from today, July 16, start testing all the legislators for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) a decision made by speaker Rebbeca Kadaga.
The idea to test the 452 MPs and staff followed an engagement with officials from the ministry of Health officials who guided that MPs needed be tested based on their engagements which have put them into contact with different people since the outbreak of the pandemic.
All cabinet ministers have also been subjected to the same screening. None of the ministers tested positive although earlier, Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda went into self-isolation after one of his aides tested positive for the virus.
The speaker also said that the MPs will be organized by the clerk to parliament and tested in groups and she rejected the MPs’ request to have their family members also tested, insisting that the arrangement is strictly only for legislators.
Parliament has also come out to refute the rumours making rounds on social media that a female member of parliament tested positive for COVID19