KAMPALA – President Museveni on Tuesday, August 27, stunned the social media fraternity when he directly engaged with his Facebook and Twitter followers.
The President, who is on his way to Yokohama, Japan to attend the seventh edition of the Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD) summit, spared time to respond to some of the queries from some of his followers.
Pictured with a loosened tie and a laptop aboard the presidential jet, the President dispelled claims that his presidential secretary, Mr Don Wanyama, was answering some of the questions.
“Sober Muzzukulu via twitter using @stevekizire said the message was sent by Wanyama Don Innocent to “kuzanyira kumitwe gy’abantu”. No that was not Don, It was the old man, himself. When necessary, I will directly come in to challenge wrong ideas, or, to emphasize the right ideas. Ideas are the compass of progress,” the President wrote.
“I have been using the flying hours to Yokohama, Japan to read through your comments and prepare responses to some of you. While I prepare a longer response, allow me to make immediate replies to a few people,” he added.
He appreciated one Moses Muwanga, his follower, who said he was considering voting for the President for the first time.
“Muwanga Moses, thanks me for clarifying and is considering voting for me for the first time. Your comments challenge the NRM leaders to be more persuasive. Our track record is unrivaled. They have a heritage that they should be proud of and that they should share with the others. I thank Moses for considering joining the Revolution,” he said.
“Mwaka Simon Peter thought that I would not have time to answer all those questions. It is, of course, true that I am hard-pressed for time. However, the issue of the socio-economic stagnation of the 68% of our households and their eventual deterioration with the deaths of the heads of families, has gone on for so long. Our direct advice to the population ever since 1995 notwithstanding, I have now resolved not only to work through emissaries [MPs, Chairmen, Councillors, etc), but to also use all direct channels to the population. Social – media addresses those with smartphones who are 8million in number. Thanks for joining me for 2021. I did not get well what Lisha Sophy Jeremiah said,” the President wrote.
Mr Museveni also occasionally directed some questions to his ministers.
“Dr. Jane Aceng and Ministry of Health- Uganda, you have a cost-free inspection report from Bosco Must GO. Use it to get the truth. Bosco, check for me after two weeks if there is any change for the better. If no change, alert me through the same channel,” he wrote.
“EriRwanda through twitter handle @EriRwanda, with bullets, accuses me of torturing Rwandans who live in Uganda and of supporting Kayumba. We have discussed all this, not only with President Kagame, but also with the other regional leaders: H.E Kenyatta, H.E Lorenco, H.E Tshisekedi, H.E Magufuli, and H.E Sassou Nguesso. However, I refuse to discuss inter-state matters in the press, including social media.
Godfrey Begumisa (Twitter-@GodfreyBegumis2), tells Bobi Wine to go to the bush if he wants power. That is not necessary. Politics is about competing policies. Our policy is well stated. Let the others also state theirs. If they do not have anything different, then support what is on the ground.”
The President is increasingly using social media to release many statements and update the country on his trips.
