IGAD wishes Museveni a quick recovery

The heads of state and governments of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have wished President Yoweri Museveni a quick recovery. 

In a joint communique issued at the conclusion of the 14th ordinary session of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government in 2023 Djibouti, the leaders wished the Ugandan leader a quick recovery from the COVID-19 infection. 

“We wish H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, who was unable to attend the ordinary summit having contracted COVID-19, speedy recovery and good health,” the communique partly read. 

The summit chaired by Malik Agar, the deputy chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of the Republic of the Sudan and representative of the chair of the IGAD heads of state and government was graced by Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of Djibouti, Dr Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Dr William Ruto, President of Kenya, Dr Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of Somalia, Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of South Sudan, Osman Saleh Mohammed, minister of foreign affairs of Eritrea and Gen. Jeje Odongo, Uganda’s foreign affairs minister. 

Also in attendance was Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the African Union Commission, and representatives of the IGAD Council of Ministers and Committee of Ambassadors, among others. 

Museveni through a tweet on Thursday, June 8, announced that he was taking “forced leave” after testing positive for COVID-19. 

“I have, therefore, got the second forced leave in the last 53 years, ever since 1971, when we started fighting Idi Amin,” the President said a day after he confirmed that he tested positive for the novel virus during the State of the Nation Address at the Kololo Independence Grounds. 

This was before he delegated his duties for the subsequent two days including presiding over Heroes Day celebrations held in Luweero last Friday, to Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja. 

In the latest brief about his health, the President refuted social media claims that he was in the intensive care unit (ICU), saying that he is doing a lot of “paper work" at State House. 

“Some few individuals from, I think, Kenya, saying that I was in ICU etc. If I was in ICU, the government would inform the country. What is there to hide?” he said in a tweet. 

“Sunday, Monday and today, I have been busy doing paper work. I would have gone out of self- confinement but when we checked on Sunday, I was still positive, but the other parameters were good,” Museveni said.

The President went on to disclose that he has not been to bed as a sick man in the house except for sleeping.  

“My social-media team brought me the messages that are overwhelmingly supportive. Thanks so much fellow Ugandans. I thank those who took the trouble to sign the boards at the gate of Nakasero.”