As every political party is busy scrambling and fighting for political positions ahead of the 2021 General Elections, COVID-19 is also busy disrupting their plans.
It all started with the two staff at the NRM secretariat that tested positive and this prompted majority of the staff to be quarantined. This has caused fears among the different political organisations as the virus continues to spread like wild fire.
According to Frank Rusa, the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) Executive Secretary and Country Representative of Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, the Ministry of Health has announced that its available to test workers of political parties every week because they get in touch with many people who visit party headquarters or branch offices.
Mr Rusa said this at Kasangati Resort Center Hotel while attending the UPC party delegates conference.
“Take advantage of the offer from Ministry of Health because democracy is for healthy people not dead ones. Political parties check your staff regularly”, Rusa said.
He applauded government of Uganda through Ministry of Health for availing this service to the political parties.
Hon Jane Ruth Aceng, the Minister of Health announced the availability of testing services to each political party when requested. She said NRM party was not favored but wrote requesting for the service.
Hon Jimmy Akena, the President elect of Uganda People’s Congress while addressing close to 500 delegates said coronavirus is real as its killing many people across the world.
“I ask all Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) leaders to follow guidelines given out by the Ministry of Health. We should keep alive”, Akena said.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director General of World Health Organization (WHO) has appealed to all political parties worldwide to be united in the fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“My message to political parties is that, do not politicize this virus. If you care for your people, work across party lines and ideologies”, Dr Tedros said.
However,coronavirus has been over politicized in Uganda with few leaders coming to remind people of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Some argue the leaders of NRM are not following guidelines and therefore on that basis they should do the same.
Frank Rusa’s appeal comes after Uganda registered the forth death of coronavirus with over 1,154 cases confirmed, and 1,028 recoveries.
