The Government Chief Whip Ruth Nankabirwa is meeting up to 50 Journalists a day after President Museveni announced a one-month ban on all public meetings and gatherings.
President Museveni on Wednesday banned all large gatherings in what has been described as a partial lockdown.
“Then the next category of mass meetings are the political or cultural ─ Public rallies, conferences, elections, etc. All these are hereby forbidden for 32 days with immediate effect.” The president said.
However, on Thursday morning, a meeting that was scheduled earlier between members of the Uganda Parliamentary Press Association (UPPA) and the Government chief whip Ruth Nnakabirwa is happening at the Parliaments conference hall.
The meeting that takes places every quarter, the Government Chief Whip usually talks to journalists on how to make better their work and livelihood and also on how media relations can be improved.
According to a copy of the agenda, URN has seen, the meeting started at 8:00 am and will close at midday.
50 journalists from across different media houses are currently attending the meeting.
Although many journalists wondered if following the Presidents directive, the meeting would still go on, the UPPA Treasurer Apollo Tusiime sent in a clarification to members that the meeting was on.
“Clarification members, the meeting with the Chief Whip will be held tomorrow 19th, March 2020 in the conference Hall, at Parliament; Time 8:00 prompt,” Tusiime said.
However, by 8:30, the meeting hall was still empty.
“Members, the Chief Whip is already here, please make your way to Parliament conference hall,” Rose Kasigwa, the in-chargee women affairs posted in a whatsapp group of Parliament journalists.
At the conference, the journalists are being asked to sanitize themselves before entering the hall.
Parliament is strictly enforcing the handwashing driver, with hand sanitizers at most of the offices.
The News Editor ,Reporter at Kagadi Kibaale community Radio
