The Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has tasked the Executive, led by President Museveni to provide for Ugandan students in China before releasing a statement on their evacuation to the August House.
Speaking in the plenary session today, Rt Hon. Kadaga said Parliament will not be ready to listen to government’s decision on evacuation unless they are assured that the students have been provided with basic necessities for their survival in Wuhan, China – the epicentre of the Corona Virus.
“We are demanding that the Prime Minister comes and addresses the country on this matter tomorrow. We need answers about this issue. These people are starving Can you assure us that they will have food, water and masks?” Kadaga asked.
Kadaga further added that she has received several letters from students, not just in Wuhan, but across China who are complaining of high costs of living and general discomfort during the crisis.
“It is not only in Wuhan. I have also received letters from other students in other areas of China and they are complaining of the high costs of living during this outbreak. I have contacted the Ambassador and we need to do something.” Kadaga further said.
Other Members of Parliament insisted that the students need to be evacuated from China and brought back home like other countries have done. They assert that government can quarantine them and watch for any symptoms from home, when they’re safe from the high risk in China.
“We need to charter a plane like other countries have done and we bring our children back home. We can then assess them, maybe for two weeks. Embassies and gov’ts needs to help their own people; if we don’t do it now, then when?” Kampala Central MP Mohammed Nsereko pondered.
Several Ugandan students based in China for their education have cried out to the powers that be pleading that they’re evacuated from Wuhan before they contract the deadly coronavirus. They include the daughter of the late Prime Minister and NRA revolutionary Eria Kategaya.