During a Thursday plenary session, Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, representing Kira Municipality, raised concerns regarding President Museveni’s repeated delegation of Vice President Jessica Alupo to represent him at high-profile international events, potentially indicating health-related reasons for his absence.
Hon. Nganda pointed out that President Museveni was represented by Alupo at the recent United Nations General Assembly and last month’s China-Africa Summit, which was attended by numerous African leaders. Noting Museveni’s absence again at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, Nganda remarked, “It’s unusual for the President to miss such key meetings that he traditionally attends.”
Speaker Anita Among responded, defending Museveni’s right to delegate responsibilities. “How come no one complains when my deputy chairs in my absence?” she asked, assuring Parliament that the President remains in good health, adding, “He’s even healthier than some of us here.”
Museveni, who contracted Covid-19 twice during the pandemic, has since limited public appearances and foreign travel, maintaining health precautions, including mask-wearing. Until recently, Covid-19 testing was still required for attendees at his meetings, reflecting the President’s continued vigilance.
