Over the weekend, a group of doctors in Uganda caused a stir by kneeling before long-term President Yoweri Museveni and asking him to run for a seventh term.
The 78-year-old ruler has ruled since 1986. The next general election is scheduled for 2026.
According to media coverage of the event, the doctors from the Uganda Medical Association (UMA) were attending a patriotism symposium in Kampala when they were led by their leader to kneel before the president.
Nile Post news site reported that UMA boss Dr Samuel Odongo Oledo praised the president in his speech for transforming the country’s health system and improving the welfare of medical workers.
He went ahead to ask President Museveni to vie again in 2026 as a presidential candidate, the NTV television station reports.
VIDEO: Uganda Medical Association (UMA) members led by their President Dr Samuel Odongo Oledo on Saturday knelt before President Museveni and asked him to stand again in 2026 as a presidential candidate #NTVNews pic.twitter.com/BkldMbKEwB
— NTV UGANDA (@ntvuganda) December 4, 2022
The gesture sparked controversy on social media, with many accusing the group of being subservient to politicians.
But in a tweet, the UMA distanced itself from the gesture, saying it did not “represent modus operandi of the association”.
It said: “Uganda Medical Association has always engaged with the president through formal, professional ways including appreciating him through our annual awards.”