Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni will receive a prestigious global award in Canada next month for his outstanding leadership and dedicated efforts in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
The award ceremony will be held during the First International Post-Covid Conference in Toronto, Canada.
In addition to President Museveni, the event will recognise 11 government officials, scientists, and business leaders for their significant contributions to managing pandemics such as COVID-19.
Uganda has faced several disease outbreaks, including Ebola, COVID-19, and Marburg. Ugandan scientists have also played a crucial role in helping other countries control Ebola outbreaks.
According to Abbey Walusimbi, a senior advisor to the president on diaspora affairs, the awards and acknowledgements aim to showcase Uganda’s exemplary efforts in pandemic control within Africa.
“The President will be awarded at a global platform to acknowledge his distinguished leadership, and dedication in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, and to recognise the significant role he played to lead Ugandans –that required high-level visionary [leadership] and decision,” Mr Walusimbi said in Kampala last Friday.
Livelihood Development Initiatives International (LDII) Canada has partnered 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 to organise the international conference.
Throughout the pandemic, President Museveni engaged in numerous discussions with scientists and regularly updated Ugandans on the progress of the fight against COVID-19, providing updates on control measures.
Some activists and experts argue that the “radical” COVID-19 containment measures, such as extended lockdowns, curfews, and restrictions on large gatherings, had adverse effects on livelihoods, disrupted the education system, and were allegedly “weaponised” to suppress opposition politicians.
However, Dr. Bruce Kirenga, Director of the Makerere University Lung Institute and one of the medical professionals caring for COVID-19 patients, acknowledged that managing COVID-19 has been exceptionally challenging.
“I have been a doctor for 22 years now, I had never seen a disease which makes people require supplemental oxygen like COVID-19,” Dr Kirenga said.
Additional Ugandan candidates for international acknowledgement include Jane Ruth Aceng, who serves as the Minister of Health, Monica Musenero, who serves as the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovations, Diana Atwine, who is the Permanent Secretary of the Health Ministry, Specioza Kazibwe, former Vice President, and Prof Pontiano Kaleebu, who is the director of the Uganda Virus Research Institute.
Other nominees are Mary Karoro, former minister in charge of general duties, Esther Mbayo, former minister for the presidency, Dr Emmanuel Katongole, the chairman of Quality Chemicals, Dr Patrick Ogwang, the developer of Covidex, Lt Col Dr Henry Kyobe, the Covid-19 incident commander, and Francis Okello from the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).