Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | President Yoweri Museveni has confirmed that he will not be part of the African Union delegation travelling to Europe to help resolve the Ukraine-Russia war as he is still COVID-19 positive. He will however address Parliament virtually today, at the end of the budget speech.
President Museveni, who is in isolation at State House Nakasero after contracting COVID-19, will be represented by former Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda.
“The other six Presidents of Africa from the Comoros, Egypt, South Africa, Senegal, Congo- Brazzaville and Zambia are supposed to arrive in Poland tomorrow to take the train trip to Kiev to mediate in the Russia- Ukraine war. I was supposed to have joined them tomorrow. I have now sent an official message that, on account of my continued corona status, I cannot join the group,” he said in a statement on Twitter.
On the trip to Kiev, he said Dr. Rugunda will represent Uganda.
“He is already in Poland. From Poland, they will go to Russia to meet with the Russians. I wish the mission success. Since I am not travelling to Kiev and Russia, I will be able to address Parliament tomorrow at a distance of 300m on the budget Day,” he said.
Read Also: Ugandans can’t make informed decisions through virtual campaigns – Gen Muntu
Full statement issued by President Museveni
Ugandans and, especially the Bazzukulu. Greetings.
It is now seven days since I tested corona positive on the 7th of June, 2023. As I told you yesterday, I do not feel sick and I only felt a slight feverishness on the 3 or so first days. Otherwise, I feel ready to move out of self- isolation.
However, today, again, we carried out corona tests and I was still positive. Fortunately, Maama Janet is still negative because we take precautions.
Somebody on social – media and others who spoke to me on the phone, were saying that testing after 4 days or a week was too soon.
We had to do it because we had pressure on the diplomatic front because the other six Presidents of Africa from the Comoros, Egypt, South Africa, Senegal, Congo- Brazzaville and Zambia are supposed to arrive in Poland tomorrow to take the train trip to Kiev to mediate in the Russia- Ukraine war.
I was supposed to have joined them tomorrow. I have now sent an official message that, on account of my continued corona status, I cannot join the group. Dr. Rugunda will represent us. He is already in Poland. From Poland, they will go to Russia to meet with the Russians. I wish the mission success.
Since I am not travelling to Kiev and Russia, I will be able to address Parliament tomorrow, virtually, on the budget Day. Otherwise, I had delegated the whole effort to VP Alupo. Now that I am not travelling, she will inspect the Parade for me, take the salute for the march past and I will make my brief remarks at the end of budget speech.
Signed:
Yoweri K. Museveni
