Editor's Review

  • A fake tweet was circulated on social media alleging President Yoweri Museveni had been airlifted to Germany for Covid-19 treatment.

NTV Uganda has denounced a fake tweet that has been circulating on social media alleging President Yoweri Museveni was airlifted to Germany for treatment.

The Ugandan-based media house termed the tweet as fake after it was shared widely on social media for the better part of Sunday evening.

“Fake News Alert: Please, disregard this fake news post being shared and attributed to NTV Uganda and treat it with the contempt it deserves. NTV Uganda has not shared any such information on any of its platforms. Beware of those using social media to spread," the statement from NTV Uganda read.

The fake tweet alleged that President Museveni was airlifted to Germany after experiencing Covid-19 complications.

However, the President emerged on Sunday carrying out his duties and addressed Ugandans on his government's commitment to funding scientific research, especially in higher learning institutions.

"While launching the World Health Summit Regional Meeting at Speke Resort Munyonyo, I re-echoed the government's commitment to funding research and innovations by our scientists especially those in the Universities," he said.

Uganda is on partial lockdown as the East African country grapples with the deadly Delta Covid-19 strain, initially from India.

Parliamentary staff and legislators totalling at least 200 were reported to have been infected with the coronavirus and, midweek, House Speaker Jacob Oulanyah was reported to have been flown out to seek treatment in a foreign country.

On Thursday, the United Kingdom added Uganda to the Red List, attributing the decision to review the latest scientific evidence on the risk of community transmission of Covid-19 variants.