I disagree in part.
Someone had to train Darth Maul. That kind of makes it implicit that Palpatine would have a lightsaber and know how to use it.
or this could be further evidence that the Sith idea was slightly flawed. It certainly does change the way the Emperor is viewed in the OT. It is a shame, as i agree that the idea that he doesn’t use or care about lightsabers is more threatening.