Museveni explains weight loss, rules out retirement

KAMPALA - Ugandan president, Yoweri Museveni has denied claims that he's battling ill-health, settling a debate that has dominated social media in recent weeks.

In recent weeks, a number of Ugandan youths have questioned Museveni's health, following 'emaciated' photos of him which surfaced on social media.

But in a long text first published on his Yowerikmuseveni.com on Tuesday, the veteran leader linked his weight loss to 'deliberate efforts to shed off fats'.

While insisting that he's not 'tired', Museveni also argued that doctors had questioned the accumulation of fats, terming it as a 'mistake'.

“I am not tired at all. I have, however, deliberately lost weight by shedding off that fat that I had allowed to accumulate on my body frame because the doctors had not explained to us clearly the mistake of not fighting fat," he said.

Museveni, 75, was 106 kg and has since lost 30 kgs according to his statement. The elderly statesman also said the current weight fits his height of 5'7.

Ruling out possible retirement from Uganda's politics, Museveni added: "That will be decided by our Party, the NRM and the People of Uganda."

The Ugandan President clinched power in 1986 through his National Resistance Movement and he's currently one of the longest-serving head of state in Africa.

In the message also published on his Twitter, Museveni defended his development record, bashing his critics as 'inconsequential and myopic'.

A host of Ugandans have intensified campaigns to have him retire before 2021 polls. He's the oldest President in East Africa.

Among those spearheading the campaigns are opposition leader Kizza Besigye and Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine.

Known for his drama and sarcasm, Museveni defended his government on recent crackdown at Makerere University in which the military descended on learners.

“Before I talk about the anti-obesity campaign, however, in my next message I will talk about education in order to put in focus the recent strike at Makerere," be wrote.

The post on yowerikmuseveni.com was temporary pulled down before he reinstated it. It's not clear why he brought it down at first.

Already, the Ugandan parliament voted to expunge age limits from the Constitution, giving Museveni another chance to run in 2021.

In reference to Museveni's weight loss, Kyagulanyi tweeted: "The Baganda say, "kagendelere nga omukade akogga." If you know you know!"

Despite his blatant abuse of freedoms and rights of citizens in Uganda, Museveni has an outstanding record in peacekeeping missions across East Africa.

GAROWE ONLINE