“I am Not Sick, I am Busy Working for Uganda”
In a vigorous and wide-ranging address yesterday, President Yoweri Museveni directly confronted and denounced what he termed a "cowardly and orchestrated campaign" of fake news regarding his health, specifically targeting online rumors that he is critically ill.
20/October/2025
#LCCTV NEWS
Kampala, Uganda – In a vigorous and wide-ranging address yesterday, President Yoweri Museveni directly confronted and denounced what he termed a “cowardly and orchestrated campaign” of fake news regarding his health, specifically targeting online rumors that he is critically ill.
Standing without notes for over an hour, President Museveni appeared intent on projecting an image of vitality and strength. “I have seen these whispers from the keyboards of lazy people and foreign agents,” he stated, his voice rising for emphasis. “They are manufacturing stories that I am sick, that I cannot work. I want to ask them: is this the look of a sick man? I am stronger than many of those who are spreading these lies.”
The President attributed the rumors to two primary sources: political opponents seeking to destabilize the country and “foreign elements” unhappy with Uganda’s independent policy stance. “This is not new. Whenever we have an important national project or when we are about to expose their schemes, they start with these health stories,” he claimed, without naming specific individuals or countries. “It is a tool of information warfare, and we shall defeat it.”
The rumors in question have circulated predominantly on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and WhatsApp over the past several weeks. They were fueled by his absence from a minor public event two weeks ago, which his office later clarified was due to a scheduling conflict.
Information Minister, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, who accompanied the President, announced that the government is taking concrete steps to combat misinformation. “We are finalizing the operational details of the Digital Security and Safety Initiative (DSSI),” Dr. Baryomunsi said. “This will empower our cybersecurity units to more swiftly identify and counter malicious disinformation campaigns that threaten national stability.”
Critics, however, have expressed concern that such initiatives could be used to further stifle free speech and dissent ahead of the anticipated 2026 general elections.
Political analyst Evelyn Lirri noted that the health of a long-serving leader is always a sensitive topic. “President Museveni’s direct response indicates that his inner circle views these rumors as a significant threat to public perception,” Lirri said. “By addressing them so forcefully, he is not just reassuring his supporters but also sending a clear message to potential rivals within his own party and the opposition that he remains firmly in control.”
The President concluded his remarks by reaffirming his commitment to lead, ending with his famous slogan: “The future of Africa is bright, and the future of Uganda is even brighter. There is no problem we cannot solve.”
by Y.Emma#lcctv news
