Cairo, Egypt — August 13, 2025— President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has once again stirred public discussion after a video emerged of him politely but firmly declining a drink offered by his Egyptian hosts during his ongoing three-day working visit to Cairo.
The Ugandan leader, who is in Egypt at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, was filmed turning down a beverage from a man during an official engagement. In the clip, Museveni gestures “no” with both hands, prompting visible surprise among those present.
The footage, which has since gone viral on social media, has divided opinion among Ugandans and other Africans. Some commentators described the gesture as “rude” and “undiplomatic,” arguing that refusing hospitality in such a setting could be interpreted as disrespectful. Others defended the President, saying his caution is justified given the political risks that come with his position.
A Leader Known for Caution
President Museveni has long been open about his eating habits when travelling abroad. He has repeatedly stated that he avoids exotic dishes and unfamiliar beverages, sticking instead to traditional Ugandan food and drinks. On many official trips, the President is known to travel with his own chefs and carefully selected supplies.
Security sources and political observers note that Museveni’s caution is partly driven by fears of possible poisoning from political enemies—concerns he has openly hinted at in past speeches. “When I move, I go with my food,” he once told journalists, adding that it was a matter of health and safety.
Mixed Reactions Online
On X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok, users expressed a range of opinions.
> “That was a diplomatic blunder. You can refuse politely without making it obvious,” one user posted.
“The man knows what he’s doing—he’s been in power for nearly 40 years for a reason,” another replied.
Some Ugandans joked that Museveni’s refusal was less about fear and more about loyalty to his trademark tea and millet porridge. Others, however, argued that the optics could damage Uganda’s image abroad.
Part of a Larger Pattern
This is not the first time the President’s cautious eating habits have made headlines. In 2011, during an African Union summit, he was reportedly seen eating food prepared by his personal chefs instead of the banquet menu. In 2019, he told a public rally that he avoided eating at other people’s homes, saying, “You cannot know who is your friend and who is your enemy.”
Whether a matter of personal discipline, political security, or both, Museveni’s rejection of the Egyptian drink has once again brought his unique travel habits into the spotlight—and sparked a fresh round of debate across the continent.
