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Covid-19: Ugandan ministers undergo mandatory testing

Friday June 05 2020
test

A man reacts before receiving a throat swab administered by a public health official wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) at a site for mass testing for the Covid-19 coronavirus in Ruaraka, Nairobi, on May 28, 2020. PHOTO | TONY KARUMBA | AFP

By JONATHAN KAMOGA

Uganda on Friday started mandatory Covid-19 testing for ministers after staffers in the prime minister’s office tested positive, the health ministry confirmed.

Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda said he was self-isolating despite testing negative for the virus.

“Friends, I have gone into self-isolation after some of my contacts tested positive for Covid-19. My own test result is negative, however, I have taken this decision as a health recommended measure,” tweeted Dr Ruhakana on Friday.

Most of the cabinet meetings are done at the premier’s offices in the capital Kampala and that ministers might have been in contact with the said individuals.

One minister posted photos of himself undergoing the test on social media Friday afternoon.

The cabinet ministers will also undergo a second testing after 14, according to Emmanuel Ainebyona, a Health Ministry spokesman.

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Uganda which is gradually lifting the lockdown, put in place by President Yoweri Museveni three months ago, has recorded 557 Covid-19 cases.

The country has not recorded any death to Covid-19 while recoveries stand at 82, according to the Health Ministry.

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