Museveni says health on the mend following Covid scare

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has dismissed reports of failing health following his diagnosis with Covid-19 last week.

Museveni, in a statement released over the weekend, said that he had taken time to self-isolate out of the country’s capital of Kampala after he tested positive of the virus last week.

The Ugandan leader argued that the virus, by domesticating him, had instead helped him catch up with office paper work.

“Greetings. Day 4 of my corona status has seen me assault, all day long, 3 loadfulls of government papers. I started at 6:30am (Saa kumi na mbiri, in our African languages, na nusu),” Mr Museveni said. 

The Ugandan President also argued that due to the virus, he had been put under medication and was experiencing more mild symptoms. 

“In the night, slight throbbing (enkuratima) in the ruhoorahoore area of the head. This is the part of the head that has a gap in children. Also, some slight roughness on the throat.

“Otherwise, I am even tempted to do my push-ups, but common sense reminds me not to disturb the biochemistry of the body where the war with the enemy (the virus) is going on with additional strains on the body,” Mr Museveni said. 

Mr Museveni also added that contrary to claims that he had been sick in bed, he had just been house-confined since Wednesday last week when he tested positive for the virus.

“Consequently, I missed Heroes Day where our daughter Nabbanja did a great job. I could not meet the guests I had invited from UAE and I have cancelled my plan to go to Kisozi tomorrow to supervise the half-yearly deworming of my cattle.

“Therefore, health is not only wealth but also part of the weapons of the struggle. Afya ni utajiri na vile vile ni chombo cha mapambano ya kimapinduzi (part of the instruments of the revolutionary struggle),” he said. 

The statement by the Ugandan leader follows reports and speculations over his health after he was taken ill last week.

The Ugandan leader had last Wednesday tested positive for the virus, with health officials in the country saying that he was in good health and would continue his duties, while getting treatment.

Earlier in the day, after giving a State of the Nation address at Parliament’s grounds, Museveni, 78, gave a first hint that he may have contracted Covid, saying in the morning he had felt a slight cold, prompting him to request Covid tests.

The news of his diagnosis was later followed by reports that he might have been hospitalised, claims that were dismissed by authorities and health officials in the country.

And in his statement, Museveni also asked his supporters to continue taking precautions and understand the importance of robust health, adding that each should avoid factors that can cause ill-health.

He added that the country’s First Lady, Maama Janet, had also been tested and all the tests were negative.

“We thank God for that. We have, therefore, been using different parts of the house ever since,” he said.