All MPs and staff of Parliament will undergo mandatory testing for COVID-19, Speaker Rebecca Kadaga has said.

The Speaker says the exercise will be conducted by the Ministry of Health starting on Thursday, 16 July 2020.

Kadaga’s announcement comes after Parliament was thrown into panic with news revealing that one of its own has been reported by Ministry of Health officials among those who tested positive of the virus.

The details of the female MP who is now on treatment remains confidential.

However, we’ve learnt that Hellen Kahunde commonly refereed to as mama wakaazi the Kiryandongo Woman MP, on Tuesday was admitted at Mulago Referral Hospital after a test for the deadly covid-19 turned positive.

According to a family source the legislator felt unwell before volunteering to take a test at Mulago hospital for covid-19.

In her communication to the House this afternoon, Kadaga informed the MPs that now that the screening of the Cabinet Ministers has been completed, it’s now turn for MPs and the entire staff of parliament.

Meanwhile, the Busongola North MP, William Nzoghu pleaded to the Speaker to allow even family members of the MPs to be screened for their safety.

However, Kadaga responded that she has to first deal with MPs, who are under her jurisdiction and then see if Nzoghu’s plea will be considered.

Uganda has 1,043 confirmed COVID-19 cases. 198 are active cases while 1004 Recoveries (both Ugandans and non-Ugandans) have been registered.

Uganda is yet to directly record deaths from COVID-19.

Additional reporting by: businessfocus.co.ug