By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
PARLIAMENTARY REPORT:
About 50 members of parliament and staff who participated in the recent East African Community games in Arusha have tested positive for COVID-19, parliamentary communications department has said.
According to Chris Obore, the director of communications at parliament, no admission case has been registered, but, he said that the infected MPs and Staff are being managed by the ministry of health team.
A WhatsApp message purported to the Igara West MP, Bushenyi District, Mbwate-Kamwa Gaffa, alias Embwa Rukamba, the MP confirmed he was subjected to self-isolation after he tested positive for COVID-19 in Arusha where he had been with fellow MPs for EAC Legislative Assemblies Sports.
“Good evening comrades, I wish to bring to your attention that the ministry of health Uganda has reconfirmed that I am COVID-19 positive. This is after ministry of health Tanzania took a sample and confirmed the same. I contracted the virus while I had gone for Inter-parliamentary games in Arusha Tanzania where I got two gold medals in both 1,500m and 400m races. ” MP Mbwate-Kamwa said.
The message further noted that the legislator did not participate in the 800m race game due to COVID-19 mild weaknesses experienced.
He further said that he is under quarantine and cannot be accessed by his family adding that he will be unable to celebrate the Christmas festive with his constituents.
Obore said that the legislators did not observe the COVID-19 guidelines given the nature of the games.
“The games were interactive in nature therefore, the players could not strictly observe SOPs. In Tanzania, the population does not wear masks.” Obore tweeted.
He did not however disclose the details of members that tested positive but said that majority of the members that went to Arusha are safe.
