Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has caused a stir on Twitter after he was caught on camera making a phone call while sitting on a portable chair on the side of a village road in Western Uganda, where he had attended World Population Day celebrations.
Many Ugandans took to Twitter to disapprove their president for what they said was pulling a cheap publicity stunt. Others speculated that he had to make an urgent call regarding important national issues that required privacy.
Uganda, where wonders never cease to happen. So, my President can’t make/receive a phone call in his car ???? pic.twitter.com/Yx0KtPShic
— Abdu Wasike (@WasikeAbdu) July 12, 2016
Some people also suggested that someone must have called the president to inform him about the release of his main political opponent Dr. Kizza Besigye, who was released on bail yesterday morning.
Hello! Why did u grant Kiiza bail #BesigyeTrial ?
Museveni stopped his convoy in Isingiro to answer a call. pic.twitter.com/mgjzoPHrle— Twiine victor (@victortwiine) July 12, 2016
The photo was posted on President Museveni’s Facebook account by his press officer Don Wanyama, who didn’t say why the president had to make the call by the roadside.
Funny Memes
In Kenya, Twitter users almost broke the internet with all manner of funny memes imitating the Ugandan President under the hashtag #M7Challenge.
#M7Challenge Museveni seems to have light up our dull lives???? pic.twitter.com/TBg7r6CdsP
— Road Alerts (@RoadAlertsKE) July 13, 2016
Some big companies also took advantage of the furor to market their brands on twitter.
“Yeah, we do deliver” #M7Challenge pic.twitter.com/8sNheCMtEK
— RMA Motors (Kenya) (@RMAKenya) July 13, 2016
Before @ntvuganda takes down the tweet☺ #M7Challenge pic.twitter.com/wwJG8xzcmD
— Fredrick Tumusiime (@tufre80) July 12, 2016