In a parliamentary session on October 4, 2023, Mr. Mathias Mpuuga, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, has raised questions regarding the necessity of mandatory COVID-19 tests for individuals meeting President Museveni. The government recently called upon Members of Parliament to undergo mandatory COVID-19 testing as a prerequisite for attending the National Prayer Breakfast meeting scheduled to take place at the State House on Sunday.
Mr. Mpuuga requested the Ministry of Health to provide a detailed and up-to-date report on the COVID-19 situation in Uganda. This report would help assess whether there is still a valid reason to subject individuals meeting the President to COVID-19 tests. Additionally, the report aims to present a clear overview of the country’s COVID-19 status, especially for travelers coming to Uganda.
Mr. Mpuuga expressed concerns about mixed signals regarding COVID-19, particularly when it comes to State House meetings. He questioned the necessity of COVID testing specifically for State House visits and called for clarification on why such testing is required only for this context.
He also emphasized the importance of understanding the connection between the presidency and COVID-19, suggesting that visitors to the country need clarity on whether State House is now considered the epicenter of COVID-19 in the region or the country. He urged for consistency in communication regarding COVID-19 protocols.
The call for mandatory COVID-19 tests for Members of Parliament attending the National Prayer Breakfast meeting triggered Mr. Mpuuga’s concerns about the requirement for COVID testing before meetings with President Museveni. He previously expressed dissatisfaction with the continuous mandatory testing, citing it as a significant drain on government resources.
Deputy Speaker Mr. Thomas Tayebwa supported Mr. Mpuuga’s request for clarity on COVID-19 status and testing requirements. He highlighted the need for an official statement from the Ministry of Health to guide decisions on this matter.
In response, the State Minister for Health in charge of Primary Health Care, Ms. Margaret Muhanga, defended the ongoing mandatory COVID-19 testing for individuals meeting President Museveni. She emphasized that COVID-19 is still a concern and that testing is essential to protect the President’s safety. Ms. Muhanga explained that a scientific committee advised mandatory testing for anyone meeting the President, including other heads of state.
Ms. Muhanga pledged to review the Ministry’s latest COVID-19 data collected nationwide to provide specific details for the forthcoming statement on this issue. She underscored the importance of maintaining safety measures, given that new cases of COVID-19 continue to be reported regularly.
