FACT-CHECK: Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni not hospitalized for kidney transplant and eye surgery

Written by Rufina Isaac

A Facebook page “Naath Abroad” claimed that Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was hospitalized on the 18th of October 2025, for a kidney transplant and eye surgery, but this is false.

While the post doesn’t explicitly mention President Museveni, it uses his image and also coincides with the duration of the Ugandan Presidential campaign for the 2026 general elections.

In the image is the Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. The image caption claims that an “80-year-old man who has supplied weapons in the South Sudan civil war has been hospitalized for a kidney transplant and eye surgery,” posted on the Facebook page that describes itself as a journalist.

Press enter or click to view image in full size

The same claim has also been shared here, here, here and here.

Debunking the Claim:

There is no official confirmation from the Ugandan government such as the Office of the President or reputable news sources to substantiate this claim. There is not any report or evidence to prove the claim true.

Additionally, between the 17 and 20 of October 2025, Museveni appeared in multiple rallies in the West Nile region of Uganda starting from Yumbe District and concluding with Adjumani. He addressed a public rally at Paridi Stadium in Adjumani on Monday, 20 October 2025, effectively dismissing concerns of his well-being ahead of the January 2026 General Elections in Uganda.

Our Verdict:

The ClarityDesk finds a claim circulating on social media that Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni was hospitalized for a kidney transplant and eye surgery with the most recent being from the 18 of October 2025 to be false.

There is no official confirmation from the Ugandan government or reputable news sources to substantiate this claim.

Have you spotted an error in this article and would like to request a correction, or have you come across a claim that we should investigate? Please send us an email via editor@claritydesk.org or click here to WhatsApp us via +211 928 606 958.