The Chief Political Commissar of the Uganda Police Force, AIGP Asan Kasingye has tested positive for the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
He is among the 97 Ugandans who have today tested positive, according to the latest update from the Ministry of Health.
Kasingye disclosed his status on his twitter handle saying, “Bad new!! [sic] i’am #covid19 positive.” His tweet has attracted get well soon messages from his followers.
On Friday, the surveillance team from Entebbe Hospital collected throat and nasal swab samples from Kasingye from his home. He noted on twitter that it was his second test in a space of two weeks. He added that he was taking the test as a personal decision to “prevent contagion.”
However, by press time, he was yet to speak to Uganda Radio Network – URN on whether he has been evacuated for isolation and how the police force will operate in his absence.
Meanwhile, Fred Enanga, the spokesperson for Uganda Police Force, says that Ministry of health will have to send a formal statement on Kasingye before any further action is taken.
“He (Kasingye) made a personal statement. But we need formal communication from the Health ministry to confirm this information, “ says Enanga.
The ministry of health, as standard procedure, will evacuate Kasingye for isolation and management at one of the hospitals and his contacts will be traced and quarantined to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The Health ministry indicates that the 97 new cases have been registered today, bringing the cumulative total confirmed cases of Ugandans to 2,263.
These cases were all contacts and alerts from Kampala with 90 people, followed by Wakiso (59), Buikwe (11) and Amuru among other areas.
The ministry of health is urging the public to observe the preventive measures or numbers of infections will continue surging.
Dr. Ruth Aceng, the Minister of Health while addressing the press on Saturday, noted that the numbers, especially deaths will increase if the public fails to observe measures such as hand washing, wearing of face masks, social distancing among others.