President Museveni has said that there will be no mandatory testing for coronavirus during the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) which will be held alongside the 3rd South Summit from January 15-23, 2024, at Kampala Serena Hotel.
“During the NAM summit, we shall not do the compulsory corona testing,” Museveni said in a statement on X.
According to the president, some NAM delegates do not want their Deoxyribonucleic acid (abbreviated DNA) to be exposed.
“Why? It is because, after consultations with some of NAM stakeholders, we found that some of the NAM delegates do not want their DNA exposed.”
DNA is the molecule that carries genetic information for the development and functioning of an organism. It is a hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms.
This development comes at a time when First Lady, Janet Kataaha Museveni, just tested positive for COVID-19 and entered self-isolation at Rwakitura in Kiruhura district.
The NAM and 3rd South Summits unite 120 NAM member states and the largest coalition of developing nations, the G77, offering an unparalleled platform to foster South-South cooperation and unlock immense economic potential.
Springboard for success
On the sidelines of the summits, the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), Uganda’s apex body for the private sector, will host a groundbreaking East African Business and Investment Forum.
PSFU vice chairperson, Ms Sarah Kagingo, says the forum will become a springboard for success in the Private Sector.
“Imagine, Uganda transformed into a buzzing hub, teeming with representatives from 120 nations. Picture exhibition halls showcasing diverse products and services, brimming with potential partnerships. Envision business leaders sharing innovative ideas, forging joint ventures, and unlocking new markets. This is the future the forum promises – a future of shared global affluence, paved by deeper cooperation in trade, tourism, and investment,” Kagingo told journalists at Serena Hotel in Kampala recently.
The forum culminates in a special session for Heads of State from East Africa, showcasing the region’s immense trade and investment potential.
“This unprecedented dialogue between private and public sectors promises to unlock game-changing policies and initiatives, fostering a conducive environment for businesses to thrive,” she noted.
“Together, let us leverage the NAM & G77 Summits to rewrite the narrative of the Global South. Let us showcase our dynamism, ignite economic growth, and forge a future where collaboration is the key to shared prosperity,” she added.
According to Kagingo, the PSFU-led forum aptly themed “Deeper Cooperation in Trade, Tourism, and Investment for Shared Global Affluence,” is not just a conference but a catalyst for transformative change.