Former Aruu County Member of Parliament Samuel Odonga-Otto has proposed that the 11th Parliament consider enacting a law to regulate the declaration of sickness, health, and death of a sitting President.
This proposal comes in light of President Yoweri Museveni’s self-isolation at State House Nakasero after testing positive for COVID-19.
Odonga-Otto refers to a report by Dr. Jean-Benoît Falisse from the Centre of African Studies in the UK, which states that COVID-19 claimed the lives of at least 24 national ministers and heads of state between February 2020 and February 2021.
The report highlights the high risk African leaders face from COVID-19, with the death rate among national ministers and heads of state in Africa being 1.33%, seven times higher than the world average for a similar demographic profile.
Odonga-Otto questions whether President Museveni actually contracted COVID-19, citing a tweet from a close member of the First Family suggesting that they were under attack from enemies.
This led to a “Get Well Soon” campaign by regime sympathizers. He finds it mysterious that the President announced his sickness and isolated himself for the first time in 38 years since coming to power in 1986. To address such mysteries and safeguard the public interest, he calls for a law to prevent the manipulation of information by individuals within the corridors of power.
President Museveni later provided an update on his COVID-19 status via his official Twitter handle. He stated that he had slept well without a headache or muscle soreness, but a throat roughness remained. He mentioned that a COVID-19 test conducted on Sunday still came back positive, and he would wait a few more days to check again.
The President expressed his disregard for negative information in the media and rebuked those who spread it, stating that Uganda is moving forward despite their efforts. Meanwhile, loyalists of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party gathered at State House Nakasero, where they prayed and left messages of support for President Museveni.
Dr. Kenneth Omona, the Principal Private Secretary to the President, addressed the NRM supporters and assured them that Museveni was in good spirits and recovering steadily from COVID-19. He also mentioned that the President was able to update the public about his health through social media platforms.
According to the Constitution of Uganda, the President is the executive head of state and is elected for a five-year term. In the event of a vacancy, the Vice President serves as the acting President. If the President dies, resigns, or is removed from office, the Vice President assumes the office of President until fresh elections can be held.
The newly elected President assumes office within six months after the President’s death, resignation, or removal, as stated in Article 103(8) of the Constitution.