Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni has dismissed rumours making the rounds that he had died after contracting Covid-19.
The president, who accused his political opponents of spreading the death rumour, took time to make a long post on Twitter where he said his absence from public space was because he was still self-isolating. The social media statement followed rumours that he had died.
Museveni tested positive for the virus on June 7th and went into isolation the following day after he issued a short statement that he was taking a “forced leave”.
Shortly after he went out of circulation, rumours emerged on social media that Museveni had been transferred to intensive care and later died from Covid complications.
While giving a daily update on his situation, Museveni wrote on his official Twitter handle:
“Ugandans and, especially the Bazzukulu. Greetings. It is now day five of my corona status. Last night, I slept very well up to the 10th hour of the night (saa kumi za usiku – what the Europeans call 4 am).
“This time, the dull headache was not there, nor was the mild throbbing (enkuratima) on top of the head (oruhoora-hoore). Initially, on Wednesday, there was also some mild muscle soreness (kutonekara), typical of the usual flu.
“The soreness I was feeling on Wednesday was less than one would feel with the usual flu. That soreness of muscles, has now gone.
“Also, some roughness (obugiimbi) on the throat, has gone. However, we carried out corona tests today and they were still positive. We shall wait for a few more days and check again.
“I remain in self-isolation at Nakasero. In my self- isolation, I have had time to watch some UBC wealth creation programmes, apparently, captured by the Presidential Press Unit (PPU).
“They are most pleasing to watch. It seems that Ugandans in the countryside are getting our message of getting out of okukolera ekidda kyoonka (tic me ic keken) – subsistence farming.
“UBC should replay those programmes. In the cattle corridor, with the dairy; in the Masaka Region with coffee, bananas and palm oil; in the Luwero Triangle with coffee; etc., Ugandans are waking up.
“The spokesmen of the parasites that are always writing negatively in the Monitor Newspaper, can continue deceiving themselves but Uganda is moving. Kahendekye, taita mbogo (cursing a buffalo, does not break its leg).
“Ebikolimo by’enkonko, tebitta kamunye (the noises made by hens, do not kill a kite). Again, I advise all of you to get fully vaccinated against corona and the elderly should get the boosters”.