ADVERTISEMENT

Museveni praised by social media users for 'missing' Queen's funeral

President Yoweri Museveni and other African presidents who did not attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral ceremony in Westminster Abbey, United Kingdom, have been praised for staying away as African leaders who attended the ceremony were ridiculed on social media.

President Museveni
ADVERTISEMENT

The internet was awash with images of African leaders at the Queen’s funeral being herded onto a bus while smilingly aglow as a sideshow to an event in which Western leaders basked in less humiliating treatment.

The online images reveal Kenya’s newly elected president William Ruto sharing the back seats with his wife, while Tanzania’s president Samia Suluhu is also seen in what many considered a meme-worthy pose.

ADVERTISEMENT

Uganda was represented by Foreign Affairs Minister Jeje Odongo who enjoyed a selfie in another bus and was promptly parodied online.

Another online video clip revealed American President Joe Biden arriving in his official car, the so-called “Beast, in a study of contrasts with the African leaders’ presumably craven appearance.

Biden was treated like the belle of the ball while African leaders seemed to be gate crashers at an event which showed up a disparity of esteem between Africa and the West.

ADVERTISEMENT

Museveni’s absence in this context was heralded by social media users who saw his assumed defiance as the epitome of African sovereignty, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari also did not attend the funeral.

Social media commenters claim Museveni was foresighted, foreseeing the belittlement of African leaders at the event as inevitable and thus choosing to stay away.

This is not the first time Museveni has refused to play ball according to what western powers demand. In September 2015, in New York city, he decided to take a walk from the United Nations quarters to the Ugandan Mission located a few kilometers away, contrary to laid down protocol.

ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: news@pulse.ug

Recommended articles

State House refutes MP’s phone theft claims, tasks Police to investigate

State House refutes MP’s phone theft claims, tasks Police to investigate

5 African countries set to benefit as Saudi Arabia raises $1.1 billion to support refugees

5 African countries set to benefit as Saudi Arabia raises $1.1 billion to support refugees

What to expect as Umeme exits Uganda next year

What to expect as Umeme exits Uganda next year

Museveni offers to 'enrich' Swahili language with new words

Museveni offers to 'enrich' Swahili language with new words

African countries signed a declaration on the establishment of the BRICS International Fashion Federation in Moscow

African countries signed a declaration on the establishment of the BRICS International Fashion Federation in Moscow

Acting KCCA ED Frank Rusa pledges major city clean-up

Acting KCCA ED Frank Rusa pledges major city clean-up

Court awards Shs 50 Million compensation to Kakwenza over torture

Court awards Shs 50 Million compensation to Kakwenza over torture

ADVERTISEMENT