Kampala — Senior presidential press secretary Don Wanyama, said the president received an urgent call which he needed to "take privately" because of its nature
President Museveni on Monday surprised residents of Kyeirumba village in Isingiro District when he stopped on the roadside to make a telephone call.
Mr Museveni, according to his press office, sat by the roadside in Kyeirumba for about 30 minutes attracting curious residents who gazed at him as he made a call.
He acknowledged the residents' cheers with his trademark thumb-up.
Mr Museveni also directed his security not to block traffic while he made his call, his press secretary Linda Nabusayi said in a statement.
He was travelling from Isingiro where he had earlier attended the World Population Day commemoration.
Later, President Museveni chatted with residents who according to his press team, hailed him for the tarmacking of the 74-km road that links Uganda to Tanzania through Kikagati in Isingiro District.
The residents urged Mr Museveni to engage solar distributors to reduce the cost of solar batteries sold at Shs400,000 and to power distributors to make electricity cheaper.
In response, he promised to engage stakeholders on reducing the cost of power in the rural areas.
The President's latest stunt drew mixed reactions on social media as people took to Facebook and Twitter to comment and share the picture
The senior presidential press secretary, Mr Don Wanyama, said the president received an urgent call and because of "its nature, he wanted to take it privately".
He countered the perception that the president was looking for cheap publicity but argued that sitting by the roadside and allowing people to get close to him showed that President Museveni is an ordinary Ugandan.
"It underscores the fact that the President is not a sophisticated person. He is an ordinary Ugandan."
From Facebook
Besweri Gusango: "I can picture the guys who were driving in tail following his convoy cursing after waiting for 30 minutes or so for the big man to finish his call and shake a few hands for traffic to flow again."
Duncan Abigaba: "President Museveni making a call along Mbarara-Isingiro road was a big amusement to the locals."
