The President of the National Unity Platform-NUP, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu has been stopped from travelling to the United States of America to attend party activities over COVID-19 concerns.

In a statement on his social media platform (Facebook), Kyagulanyi said yesterday he left Uganda for the United States of America via Qatar, to attend diaspora events including the Uganda Action Day and NUP Convention, scheduled for this weekend.

However, when he got to Doha in Qatar, it was noted that he was in South Africa less than two weeks ago, yet it’s one of the countries that are flagged as COVID-19 hotspots.

“Apparently, there are still COVID-19 related restrictions for anyone who has been in South Africa from proceeding to the United States until after 14 days. Unfortunately, we didn’t detect this earlier. Officials at Entebbe (airport) were also unaware of this restriction so they did not advise on it. It is on that account that I had to cancel my onward travel to USA and return to Uganda this morning,” Kyagulanyi’s post reads in part.

He added however that notwithstanding this hiccup, the planned activities this weekend will proceed because the party is represented by several leaders who are already in the US including Mityana Municipality MP, Zaake Francis, Bukomansimbi South MP Kayemba Solo, and NUP national mobilizer Fred Nyanzi.

“Other NUP leaders are also on their way to take part in the activities. I will also be part of the event virtually, together with a team of leaders who are not able to travel for one reason or another. I apologize for any inconveniences this may cause to all of you who anticipated my physical presence at the convention and other events. In the coming weeks, I’ll definitely be able to come for various interactions and events,” Kyagulanyi’s post adds.