Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is set to receive a global award next month in Canada for his leadership in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. The award will be presented at the First International Post-Covid Conference in Toronto, recognizing his “distinguished leadership and dedication.”
Alongside Museveni, 11 other Ugandan officials, scientists, and business leaders will also be honored for their roles in managing pandemics like Covid-19. Uganda, having faced outbreaks such as Ebola, Covid-19, and Marburg, has significantly contributed to global health efforts through its scientific community.
Abbey Walusimbi, a senior presidential advisor on diaspora affairs, stated that the award highlights Uganda’s exemplary role in pandemic containment. “The President will be awarded on a global platform to acknowledge his leadership and dedication in the fight against Covid-19,” Walusimbi said in Kampala.
The conference is organized by Livelihood Development Initiatives International (LDII) Canada, in collaboration with the Canadian government, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad), the African Union 6th Region Global, the World Health Organization (WHO), Continental Investments LLC-Vietnam, and the United Nations.
During the pandemic, Museveni regularly met with scientists and provided updates to the public on control measures. His stringent containment strategies, including lockdowns and curfews, were met with mixed reactions. Critics argued these measures impacted livelihoods and education and were used to suppress opposition.
Dr. Bruce Kirenga, director of the Makerere University Lung Institute, noted the unprecedented challenge of managing Covid-19. “I have been a doctor for 22 years, and I had never seen a disease requiring supplemental oxygen as much as Covid-19,” Kirenga said.
Other Ugandans to be recognized include Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng, Science, Technology and Innovations Minister Monica Musenero, Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Diana Atwine, former vice president Specioza Kazibwe, and Uganda Virus Research Institute director Prof Pontiano Kaleebu. Also honored will be former minister Mary Karoro, former minister Esther Mbayo, Quality Chemicals chairman Dr. Emmanuel Katongole, Covidex developer Dr. Patrick Ogwang, Covid-19 incident commander Lt. Col. Dr. Henry Kyobe, and Francis Okello from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) National Enterprise Corporation (NEC).
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