By Ben Musanje
As Uganda celebrated the 78th birthday of First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Kataaha Museveni on Wednesday, the tributes that flowed at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) grounds were less about politics and more about the lives she has touched over the decades.
For many gathered at the colorful celebration organized by Gen Z for Gen 7, Janet Museveni was not merely the country’s First Lady. She was “Mama” — a figure associated with compassion, sacrifice, guidance and hope.
Among those who spoke emotionally about her impact was State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang, who struggled to hide his admiration for a woman he said had profoundly influenced his personal and professional journey.
Standing before hundreds of revelers, Ogwang reflected on his relationship with Janet Museveni, describing her as one of the most consequential figures in his life.
He said he owed much of what he has become to the First Lady, noting that she had played a significant role in shaping his career and giving him opportunities to serve. According to him, many Ugandans often associate the country’s recent sports infrastructure developments with his name, but the driving force behind many of those achievements was Janet Museveni.
Ogwang recounted that when he joined the Ministry of Education and Sports, the First Lady gave him two clear directives: to ensure integrity in the sports sector and to position Uganda as a competitive force on the international sports stage.
The minister credited her leadership for major achievements in sports development, including Uganda’s preparations to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the continued expansion of sports infrastructure across the country.
Beyond sports, Ogwang pointed to her contribution to education, highlighting the ongoing construction of schools and the expansion of public universities across different regions of Uganda. To him, these were tangible examples of a leader whose impact could be measured not by speeches, but by lasting institutions.
Yet it was Janet Museveni’s time as Minister for Karamoja Affairs that appeared to leave the deepest impression on him.
Ogwang recalled that at a time when many people were reluctant to work in Karamoja due to the region’s challenges, the First Lady chose to dedicate herself to serving the area. He described her decision as a demonstration of selflessness and courage, saying she willingly went where others feared to serve.
For him, that willingness to sacrifice comfort for service revealed the character of a woman committed to improving the lives of ordinary Ugandans.
The emotion surrounding the celebrations was equally evident in the remarks of Brig. Gen. Charity Bainababo, the Director of Women Affairs in the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF).
Addressing guests at the event, Bainababo described the gathering as a celebration of values, kindness and commitment to service. She said some of the most moving moments of the day came from interacting with former beneficiaries of the Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO), an organisation founded by Janet Museveni in 1986.
According to Bainababo, many of the former beneficiaries shared stories of growing up in circumstances marked by uncertainty and despair. Some had lost parents to civil conflict, while others had been orphaned during the HIV/AIDS epidemic that devastated communities across Uganda.
At a time when they did not know what the future held, UWESO stepped into their lives.
The stories left a deep impression on Bainababo. She spoke of meeting professionals from various fields — including lawyers, engineers and other accomplished Ugandans — who traced their success back to support received through UWESO.
For many of them, Janet Museveni’s intervention had not only provided material assistance but had also restored hope at a moment when they felt abandoned.
Bainababo said the birthday celebration was therefore not simply about commemorating another year in the First Lady’s life. It was also an opportunity for beneficiaries to express gratitude to someone they believe altered the course of their lives.
The celebration took place against the backdrop of recent revelations by President Yoweri Museveni that the First Lady had survived a serious illness earlier this year.
In a birthday message released on June 24, the President disclosed that Janet Museveni suffered a major health challenge on March 21 but was saved through medical intervention and was recovering well.
The news appeared to add greater significance to the day’s events. For many in attendance, the celebration became not only a birthday gathering but also a moment of thanksgiving.
As football matches were played, cakes cut and songs sung in her honour, one message resonated throughout the day: Janet Museveni’s legacy extends beyond the offices she has held.
For former orphans, students, athletes, government officials and ordinary Ugandans whose lives have intersected with hers, her greatest contribution may not be found in government records or policy documents, but in the countless personal stories of lives transformed by a helping hand offered when it was needed most. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
