Uganda President Museveni back to work after bout of Covid-19
Tuesday June 20 2023
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is cheered on by his wife, Janet, as he walks in State Lodge Nakasero compound after receiving a clean bill of health following his Covid-19 bout. PHOTO | PPU
Uganda's veteran President Yoweri Museveni said he had returned to normal duties on Monday after recovering from the Covid-19 virus.
"With a confirmed clean bill of health, I am now able to get back to physical meetings, starting with cabinet this afternoon," he said on Twitter.
The 78-year-old, who has ruled Uganda with an iron fist for decades, had announced on June 8 that he had tested positive for Covid, triggering speculation about his state of health.
He said he had "some mild flu-like symptoms" but had decided to self-isolate and delegate his duties to Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja.
Read: Museveni takes 'forced leave’ after positive Covid-19 test
Museveni last week pulled out of a high-level trip by African delegates to Ukraine and Russia to try to broker an end to the conflict, but he did address Uganda's parliament remotely during the presentation of the country's budget.
On Sunday, he declared on Twitter that he had tested negative after an 11-day "battle", saying: "On the war with corona, it is now confirmed that I am a veteran graduate of the war with that enemy."
Monday's post was accompanied by video images of Museveni greeting staff at State House in the city of Entebbe where he chaired the cabinet meeting.
Once hailed as a reformist, he seized control in 1986, when he helped end years of tyranny under Idi Amin and Milton Obote.
But the former rebel leader has since cracked down on dissent and changed the constitution to allow himself to contest elections again and again.
Read: Museveni clears 'barrier' to 2026 polls win
According to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) figures, Uganda has registered 170,775 coronavirus cases and 3,632 deaths since the start of the pandemic.