KAMPALA – President Museveni has expressed strong abhorrence for corrupt officials in his government, saying they are the reason the country cannot achieve several things, including the vaccine for coronavirus.
Addressing the nation from State House Nakasero on Heroes Day on Tuesday, 09 June 2020, the President said whereas key sectors of the economy such as industry are doing well amid the global slowdown over Covid-19, they are being frustrated by some corrupt individuals.
“On the issue of the economy, it is moving well apart from sectors like tourism that have suffered. Tourism can resume locally following the SOPs. Factories are moving on apart from the corruption in these institutions. If we get rid of the parasites within us, we can get the vaccine before the whites. I am tired of parasites, “kawukumi” who want something out of everything. To hell with the people who do not care about the country but only themselves,” he said.
Mr Museveni revealed that his government was founded on discipline during the Bush War and warned the corrupt that their days are numbered.
He also warned against complacency in the fight against coronavirus.
“I want to remind the country that one of the strong points of the freedom fighters was discipline. If you want us to overcome the virus, listen to the advice given. From tomorrow, the government will start distributing the masks. We are opening up but if you do not have anything to do, please stay at home. Many of the parents do not want the schools to reopen, they have been calling me. One old lady told me to make it a dead year provided the children are safe,” Mr Museveni said.
“For those whose activities we have opened up, I beg you, observe social distancing. Wear masks, clean the office surfaces, don’t touch your soft parts. When you start dying, do not say Museveni did not tell us. We do not have to beg you, we have told you exactly what science says about this virus (COVID-19) and how we can avoid it. Currently, it is as if it is the work of the police to save you from dying. You should be one saving yourself from death by following the information on #COVID19.”
“When I pass through town, people are not bothered. They are complacent because no one has died from #COVID19 yet.
President Museveni: I would want Ugandans to remember what our people did. To be a hero, it requires three things; 1. A cause; the people who fought back then were tired of the arrogance of UPC. 2. Commitment; you can have a cause but lack commitment. 3. Obedience and discipline; If you support a cause, you need the discipline to move forward. We are celebrating #HeroesDay with the problem of the virus, you should know that this is a bigger war than the one we fought. A biological war is worse than the war of bullets.
President Museveni also paid tribute to the heroes of the country. “The 9th of June was chosen because on that particular day, nine people were executed by Okello at Kikandwa village just like that. They were indeed our supporters. They were guerrillas but not tried. The proper thing should have been, take them to prison and try them. Many other people were killed on other days for the same cause. We just zeroed down to 9th June. Even if they had revealed where the rest of the guerrillas were, the war would not have ended.”
