NRM HQTRS: Another Media House Registers COVID-19 Case

By Francis Otucu

Barely hours after Vision Group announced one of their staff tested positive for COVID-19, the Ministry of Health is waiting on the second media house to announce their COVID-19 results tested Sunday at Mulago Hospital.

The case, according to the ministry spokesman, Emmanuel Ainebyoona, was caught together with that of Vision Group staff at the NRM Secretariat.

“It is unfortunate the two media houses have since registered COVID-19 cases,” Ainebyoona said in a tweet Monday afternoon.

The journalists were assigned to cover President Yoweri Museveni over the weekend at NRM Headquarters, Kyadondo Road as he launched distribution of over 60, 000 bicycles for NRM village bosses.

However, as is the norm for whoever is supposed to cover an event involving the president, journalists are subjected to mandatory testing carried out at Mulago hospital.

It is then that Vision Group’s photojournalist and one other tested positive for the virus.

The government-run newspaper confirmed this Monday afternoon.  

According to Ainebyoona, the second media house will announce their COVID-19 case.

“It (Media house) will announce,” he said.

For over four months since the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, events involving Museveni have been handled with the highest level of Standard Operating Procedures including mandatory testing prior to the function, social distancing, and full time wearing of masks.

A number of dignitaries trying to meet the president have been required to undergo testing and quarantine for a minimum number of days before the meetings.

In March, Museveni claimed that his staff members have been required to be confined with him within State House premises so that they do not return home.

It should be noted that barely a month ago, the ruling party confirmed top officials at the secretariat tested positive for COVID-19.

The Covid-19 confirmed cases in the country currently stand at 1,500 with 1,142 recoveries and 13 deaths.