While concluding the State of the Nation address in Kololo today, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni revealed to the public that he had tested positive for COVID-19.
“Dear members, this morning I felt a cold and cough, and I took a COVID-19 test, which was a rapid one, and it was negative. The second test was positive, and I am awaiting the third one. Don’t worry, I won’t infect you because I have given you enough space,” said the president.
The president’s confession is a reminder to all Ugandans to maintain the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and stay alert, as there could still be cases of COVID-19 in the country.
The leader of the Opposition, Hon. Mathias Mpuuga, in his letter dated June 7, 2023, cries out about how the mandatory COVID-19 testing for people going to meet the President or be in the same place with the President is a waste of public funds.
Mpuuga’s letter suggests that the president should save tax payers money by doing online meetings, like on Zoom, rather than meeting people physically.
Mpuuga has been traversing the country as he plans to launch his own political party and has been meeting crowds. Just a few days ago, he was in the greater Luweero secretly soliciting for signatures to register his political party and is planning to go to Kayunga next.
In his letter, Mpuuga is short on facts as he exaggerates the expected number of people at the venue to 20,000, which is way too high.
With the opposition boycotting the address and the actual numbers seen on TV, everyone who watched live can attest to the fact that at least the numbers couldn’t reach 1000 members present, which is not even 5 percent of the 20,000 people that he is using to exaggerate the figures of COVID-19 tests.
Mpuuga also states in his letter that opposition members of Parliament shouldn’t take COVID-19 tests since it’s a violation of their rights. The COVID-19 tests are for the safety of all, not just the President, since knowing your status helps you isolate and take the necessary precautions. So this is misleading and shouldn’t be coming from a leader of opposition.