Museveni elated as '8 million' messages mark 82nd birthday

Uganda President Yoweri Museveni. /FILE Uganda President Yoweri Museveni was elated to receive what he said were eight million messages from well-wishers as he marked his 82nd birthday on Friday, but quickly turned the celebrations into a call for Ugandans, particularly the youth, to focus on wealth creation.

Museveni said his social-media handler, Precious Kamwiine, had told him that about eight million messages had been sent to mark his birthday.

He thanked his family members, the wider National Resistance Movement family, Ugandans, East Africans and other well-wishers for the messages.

“Fellow Ugandans, especially the Bazzukulu and other well-wishers beyond Uganda. I have seen the millions of messages congratulating me on my 82nd birthday,” Museveni said.

He thanked God for his 82 years, as well as what he described as Uganda's progress in agriculture, oil, minerals and manufacturing.