Uganda celebrates a big event as Museveni turns 80

It’s Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s 80th birthday, and the government is throwing a big party to celebrate.

As the President arrived at a church in central Uganda’s Nakaseke District over the weekend, a crowd of officials, area leaders, and locals sang him “Happy Birthday.”

Families were with him.

Presidential events usually see the President in his usual white shirt, but the happy birthday boy wore a bright green shirt, which made people laugh at his choice of clothing.

In attendance were Vice President Jessica Alupo, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, past prime ministers Amama Mbabazi and Ruhakana Rugunda, Moses Kigongo, vice chairperson of the ruling NRM party, First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, and a number of ministers.

Spiritual leaders from a wide range of religions also attended. President’s daughter Patience Rwabwogo, the former Bishop of Luweero Diocese, the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Mubajje, the Archbishop of the SDA Church, and the Archbishop of the Orthodox Church were among them.

Praying got more time, and preachers from more than five different faiths prayed for the President’s health and direction.

Chairperson of the Episcopal Conference Archbishop Anthony Zziwa gave the speech and led the dedication prayer.

According to Psalm 90:10, “The days of our years are seventy; and if men were strong, eighty; and the majority of them would be labor and trouble, because weakness has taken over us and we will be chastened.” This is what he wanted to say.

According to what the Bible says, 80 years is a blessing that should be honored. Mr. Museveni’s accomplishments, despite the difficulties he faced in the past, were also praised by him.

As an example of the problems the people of Luweero face, the President said that his government has already hired workers to fix up and build some of the roads that are in such bad shape.

Unfortunately, some of these roads are in bad shape, but the Matugga-Semuto-Kapeeka road is currently being built. “This particular road was built with a thin layer that couldn’t handle the heavy trucks that have worn it down to this state,” he said.

He said that his birthday party was for all Ugandans who have worked hard to build the country since the initial stages of the bush war in the 1980s.

In response to the ongoing land disputes that have caused some residents to be evicted, President Museveni reminded the people of Luweero that landlords cannot claim part of the land that is legally occupied by good tenants. Instead, they should demand busulu (property tax) as required by the Lands Act.

It is illegal to use land that belongs to Buganda Kingdom without paying a tax called busulu. These differences have caused problems between the kingdom and the national government.

Regarding the country’s school system, he said, “We still have a problem with the universal primary education and universal secondary education, but we are streamlining the education policy, which will take care of most of the problems.” There should be no extra fees for your kids to go to government schools.

For other reasons, President Museveni said he would go back to Luweero.

“I can’t argue today because we are thanking and celebrating the Lord, but I will find time to come back and talk about the many other issues that people brought up,” he said.

At the Kawumu State Lodge in Makulubita Sub-County in Luweero District, about 10 km from the event site, he cut the cake before meeting a few specially invited guests.