Uganda’s President, Yoweri Museveni, has received a positive COVID-19 test result. However, he remains in good health and will continue his responsibilities while undergoing treatment, as confirmed by a senior official from the health ministry on Wednesday.
In a Twitter statement, Diane Atwine, the permanent secretary at the health ministry, announced, “Today… the President tested positive for COVID-19. This was after experiencing mild flu-like symptoms. Nevertheless, he is in excellent health and continues to carry out his duties as usual while adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs) for managing COVID cases.”
Earlier in the day, after delivering a State of the Nation address at the parliament’s grounds, the 78-year-old Museveni hinted that he might have contracted COVID-19. He mentioned having a slight cold and had undergone three tests, two of which returned negative results, with the outcome of the third test pending.
Museveni explained, “So I am a suspect of corona and I am standing here. That is why you saw me coming in separate cars with Mama,” referring to the First Lady Janet Museveni, who accompanied him to the parliament.
During the peak of the pandemic, Uganda implemented stringent containment measures, including curfews, business and school closures, border closures, and other precautionary steps. However, the country fully reopened in February 2022.
Throughout the pandemic, President Museveni, who has been vaccinated against COVID-19, consistently wore a mask in public and maintained social distancing during his official engagements. He often held meetings with visitors in a tent on the lawn of his office, sitting alone to ensure safety.
