President Museveni makes a statement at State House in Entebbe regarding Saturday’s events. PPU Photo

President Yoweri Museveni has appealed to Ugandans to be extra vigilant on guarding and protecting themselves against COVID-19 and avoiding further spread.

The President on Sunday issued an apology to supporters who lined the streets at Bwaise, Kawanda, and Namalere on Saturday in anticipation that he would stop and talk to them. He, however, did not stop.

“Fellow countrymen and women, there was an incident yesterday on Bombo road where a woman, an NRM mobiliser, stormed out of the crowd to reach me while on my way from Namalere Agricultural Referral Mechanization Centre in Wakiso district.

“I witnessed a huge crowd of people who had gathered on both sides of the road right from Kawanda, Kawempe-Kagoma up-to Bwaise, who wanted me to stop. Even if I stopped, I could not address the people because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

Museveni was at Namalere to flag off agro-processing equipment for post-harvest and value addition. On his return, crowds had quickly gathered at the roadsides waiting for him.

“These are NRM supporters and this is why I have to genuinely apologise because I did not stop or even come out of the vehicle. I didn’t ignore you,” he said.

He emphasised that it’s not good to stand by the roadside without observing the ministry of health guidelines against the COVID-19 pandemic regulations including wearing a mask, keeping social distance, cleaning hands with soap or applying hand sanitiser.