Museveni marks low-key 72nd birthday

Kampala- President Museveni yesterday celebrated his 72nd birthday, making him three years shy of the retirement age as enshrined in the Constitution.

Mr Museveni, who is serving his fifth elective term as President, was born in 1944. However the exact date of his birth has remained unknown as his pastoralist parents did not keep records. A few years ago, his children, after some research, zeroed on September 15 as his probable day of birth. It is the day that is now etched on his national identity card.

“Thank you for being the man and the blessing you have been to our family and nation,” said his wife Janet and Education minister, in a happy birthday tweet.

Two years ago, President Museveni celebrated his 70th birthday at his country home in Rwakitura, Kiruhura District, with the first family and close relatives, while his 71st birthday last year was spent in part at a prayer service at Mount Zion Prayer Centre, Bukalango, Wakiso District.

Ms Linda Nabusayi, the President’s press secretary, told Daily Monitor yesterday that

PHOTOS: Museveni blessing to Uganda, says wife in birthday message

President Museveni turns 72 today. Mr Museveni who has been president since January 29, 1986 was born September 15, 1944 according to official records

“He is working. There are several functions, he has about five meetings. If there is any celebration, then may be a private family function later,” Ms Nabusayi said.

The Opposition treated the President’s birthday with disdain.

“We really know that birthday is fake,” said FDC party secretary for mobilisation Ingrid Turinawe. “He has on several times, including in his own book, said he doesn’t know his age. Even when you look at his profile and the portfolios he has held, you get to know that he is not 72,” she said.

Opposition speaks out
Ms Ingrid added that time was finally catching up with the incumbent. “I am sending him a reminder [President Museveni] that time is not his ally; that he is not eligible to appear on the ballot paper any more. We will not allow him to amend the Constitution to allow him stay in power,” she said.

Mr Museveni, who has been President since January 29, 1986, will clock 75 in 2019, during his last term in office which ends in 2021.

Previously, the Uganda Young Democrats - the Democratic Party (DP) youth wing - have celebrated President Museveni’s birthday tagging on the incumbent an age which is far above what is on his records. For example, when the President was celebrating his 70th birthday two years ago, the DP youth were commemorating what they tagged his 77th birthday.

In an interview, Information and ICT minister Frank Tumwebaze declined to respond to the “useless Opposition talk”, instead extolling his boss as gifted man.

“We thank God for giving our President extraordinary ability and good health,” said Mr Tumwebaze, who is also the former Presidency minister.

“It is not common for anybody young and old to run an extremely loaded schedule almost 18 hours daily, for 30 days and 12 months of the year non-stop for all his active life without taking a holiday yet without suffering from exhaustion and breakdown. It can only be special anointing from God,” he added.

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