Museveni shuns handshake as he meets leaders in Nairobi visit

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni kept a cautious distance during his official visit to Nairobi on Tuesday, avoiding handshakes with leaders.

Museveni, who is in the country for an official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, was received at State House by President William Ruto.

Upon arrival, Museveni was received by Ruto, who offered him a handshake.

Museveni, however, refrained from shaking hands with other leaders, including were at the venue to welcome him.

They included Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.

Ruto could be seen introducing him to the leaders as the Ugandan leader waved, acknowledging each of them with a nod as he waved his hand from a short distance.

Museveni’s decision to maintain social distance and avoid handshakes was seen as a precautionary measure, possibly rooted in personal health concerns.

The long-serving Ugandan leader has in the past been known to take extra care in public settings, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Uganda President Yoweri Museveni shakes hands with President William Ruto when he arrived at State House, Nairobi on July 30, 2025/PCS

In 2012, during the outbreak of Ebola in Uganda, Museveni urged citizens to be more careful with their health saying most of the diseases are preventable.

This, as he explained, is that he no longer shakes hands.

"If I don't shake your hand, it doesn't mean I don't like you,” he said.

During the outbreak of coronavirus, the leader also urged the citizens to stop shaking hands to avoid being infected.

“There is a very dangerous disease, and that is why we are saying don't shake hands, just wave. Let us take a personal decision not to shake hands,” he stated in 2020.

After the brief reception, the leaders retreated indoors for a closed-door meeting expected to cover a wide range of issues, including regional integration, security cooperation, infrastructure, and trade between the two neighbouring nations.

Museveni’s visit underscores efforts to deepen diplomatic and economic collaboration between Kenya and Uganda, two key players in the East African Community.