Uganda's First Lady Janet Museveni has spoken after reports emerged that the country's President Yoweri Museveni had tested positive for COVID-19.
In a statement, Janet thanked the clergy for praying for ailing Museveni, although she steered away from mentioning COVID-19.
"Bishops, pastors, brothers, sisters in Christ, men and women of God, Today, the Lord leads me to thank you for your prayers for the health of the President, myself, and our entire family," she wrote.
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"Thank you for standing in the gap especially for your President, because the enemy, who has never known that he was defeated at the cross when Jesus said "it is finished," is still trying to harm the servant of God. However, he has no chance because that battle was won by the Lord on that day. And by His stripes, all of us are healed, and we stand strong and whole, forevermore!"
A senior health ministry official quoted by sections of the media in Uganda revealed that Museveni had tested positive for COVID-19 but insisted that he is in good health and will continue his duties.
"Therefore, I only need to say "Thank you" to all of you who are kind and gracious enough to stand with us in this season. We are not afraid because we know that with God on our side, we will indeed triumph," Janet added.
According to Diane Atwine, permanent secretary at the health ministry, Museveni tested positive for the virus after developing mild flu-like symptoms.
"Today ...the President tested positive for COVID-19. This was after developing mild flu-like symptoms. However he is in robust health and continues to perform his duties normally while adhering to SOPs," Diane Atwine said.
Museveni's speech
Earlier on Wednesday after giving a State of the Nation address at the parliament's grounds, Museveni, 78, gave a first hint that he may have contracted COVID, saying in the morning he had felt a slight cold, prompting him to request COVID tests.
He said two of three tests he had done were negative, and he was waiting for the outcome of another.
"So I am a suspect of corona and I am standing here. That is why you saw me coming in separate cars with Mama," Museveni said, referring to the First Lady Janet Museveni, who accompanied him to parliament.
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Uganda had among Africa's toughest containment measures that included curfews, business and school closures, the shutting of borders and other steps.
