MP WATONGOLA DEATH: Fear AS More 10 MPs Admitted in ICU with Covid-19

BY NATHAN NGOBI

Panic is rife within the corridors of power following the death of popular Busoga NRM mobiliser and MP, Hajat Rehema Watongola. Watongola, 54, succumbed to the deadly pandemic just under a week after he was admitted to Mulago national referral hospital.

Speaking to the Second Opinion, a source close to the deceased said at the time of watongola’s death, ten other members of parliament were in intensive care and receiving treatment at mulago.

“Do not quote me please but the truth is that ten other MPs are down with Covid-19 and are receiving treatment,” she said.

The source revealed that of the ten, one legislator is in very critical condition and needs serious prayers; just like Watongola was.

Late Watongola’s husband, Hajji Badru Watongola narrated that his wife possibly picked the deadly virus from the burial of her brother Sam Kalulu who died from the same disease.

He said shortly after the burial at Nakibungulya village in Kamuli district three weeks ago, the late MP began complaining of a high fever and flu— signs that are consistent with Covid-19.

However, she first resorted to self-medication before later trying out treatment from other smaller health facilities. However, he health worsened last week, upon which she was rushed to Mulago hospital where she was retained and immediately put in intensive care after scans showed that she had COVID-19 which had unfortunately progressed to damaged her lungs.

FAILED AIRLIFTING TO NAIROBI

A source at the ministry of health told the second opinion told the second opinion that for the past five days there were suggestions to airlift the legislator to Nairobi for further management but her frail condition couldn’t allow.

“She came late for medication at Mulago National referral Hospital. Her lungs had rotten and collapsed and so doctors advised that they further manage her here as the process of transporting her to Nairobi was likely to kill her,” the source said. It has however emerged that the same airlifting failed because one of the key signatories to facilitate the trip to Nairobi was equally down with Covid-19.

Haji Watongola revealed that the deceased MP will be buried at Butende village, Kitayundwa Sub County in Kamuli district; although the full burial arrangements were yet to be communicated.

Watongola becomes the second MP to succumb to the corona virus after Pallisa district Woman MP, Faith Alupo who passed on in September 2020.

Watongola dies at the time when Government has called upon members of the public to up their guard against the deadly virus. Currently, government seems overwhelmed by the burden of treating coronavirus after the epidemic entered into the deadly phase 4.

Recently, government advised those that lose relatives to the disease to bury them citing the financial burden of undertaking the burials. By press time Uganda reported a cumulative 15,402 Covid-19 cases and Wotongola’s death could increase the death toll which was at 144, with 8,038 recoveries.

WATONGOLA POLITICAL BID

In 2016 Watongola won the Kamuli municipality parliamentary seat after trouncing four other candidates who include Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flag-bearer, Proscovia Salaamu Musumba, Kanakutanda Proscovia, Namatovu Masitula, Ceaser Lukalu and Sam Walujo.

She garnered 8726 beating her main rival, Salamu Musumba 5,778 with a small margin of votes prompting Musumba to petition challenging Watongola’s victory of February 2016.

Musumba succeeded through a court battle where Watongola was thrown out of Parliament by court over lack of academic qualifications that led to a by-election, but Watongola at the time of the by election in 2017 she had studied secretly at Good Shepherd SSS Nansana where she sat her A level in 2016 and acquired the qualification which made her appear on the ballot paper  during the by- election and again trounced Salamu Musumba where she garnered the 8726 against Musumba’s  5778 votes.

Reports disclose that this forced Salamu Musumba to change the political goal post to try and contest against Rgt. Hon Rebecca Kadaga Alitwala for the Kamuli district woman MP slot.

Watongola, had lost the Kamuli Municipality National Resistance Movement primaries held in August this year to Mastula Namatovu and claimed that mercenaries from the National Unity Platform brought by Masitula Namatovu influenced the polls.

She proceeded and was nominated as an independent candidate for the 2021 general elections.

At the time of her death she was pursuing a diploma in Business administration and management at Makerere University.