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At exactly 11:00am, invited guests started streaming into the well decorated Tent at Serena hotel Gardens.

(Photo by Miriam Namutebi)

This was during a luncheon hosted by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs Janet Museveni, in honour of the visiting spouses at the 19^th Non-Aligned Movement Summit (NAM).

Under the theme ‘Empowering women and girls as a vehicle to National Transformation’ the day saw different first ladies from different countries recognized for their contribution to society.

Besides the sumptuous meal, the women were served with inspiring speeches and thrilling music from the region, gospel songs from the Watoto Children’s choir.

Guests were entertained on arrival. (Credit: Miriam Namutebi)

Among notable guests included her excellence Angeline Ndayishimiye, spouse of the President of Burundi, Sadia Shahal, wife to the minister of foreign Affairs of Singapore and Mignon Bowen-Philips, wife to the Prime Minister of Guyana.

Her excellence Angeline Ndayishimiye, spouse of the President of Burundi. (Credit: Miriam Namutebi)

Others were spouses of the representatives like Sustjie Mbumba, wife to the President of the Republic of Namibia, Pen Vimuol, wife to the Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia and Minister of Education, youth and Sports and Her excellency Philile Thulile DIamini, wife to the minister of foreign Affairs of Eswatini and Judy Christine Uy, Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development.

Those from Uganda included Ministers, Cooperative Executive directors, the UN family, lady Justices and religious leaders.

The function kicked off at 2:00pm with a word of prayer from Dorothy Kisakka, the Kampala Capital City Authority Executive Director, in her prayer, Kisakka thanked God for enabling Maama to host the function saying that we all prosper when we work together.

Beneath the display of fashion and elegance were serious issues of concern in different countries. The status of women and girls stood out throughout the discussion.

Before spouses gave their speeches, a short documentary showing Maama Janet’s humble contribution to Uganda’s development over the years was played. The video showed Maama’s contribution in the fight against HIV/AIDS and how she has promoted and supported women empowerment.

First Lady, Janet Museveni. (Credit: Miriam Namutebi)

Speaking at the event, Maama Janet who was in jovial mood thanked everyone who prayed for her during that the time she had Covid 19.  She started off her speech by quoting the late Julius Nyerere, Former Tanzania President who said that “People cannot be developed, they can only develop themselves,”

First Lady, Janet Museveni, speaking at the luncheon. (Credit: Miriam Namutebi)

“I believe that what he meant was that development is essentially an internal process, it is a learning process that involves behavioral change in the individual. Therefore, for people, individuals, households, communities to engage in this process of development, they must be motivated, motivated to know why they need to change and what the benefits of that change are.

When I realized this essential truth about development, I knew that for as long as God gives me the space in leadership, my job would be to motivate our people and our communities and show them that it is possible to improve their lives by taking charge and participating in the process of change,” Maama Janet said.

She told her guests that every time she visits a community where her team has been working with and see the excitement in the faces of motivated people, and then recall how they were at the beginning of the development program, she feels humbled and grateful for the opportunity she has been given to participate in that work.

“As long as God gives me strength and opportunity, I will continue to work with people who need to be uplifted and to improve their lot in life because I know that it is doable and possible. As the saying goes, ‘The struggle continues,” she said.

During the event, Maama launched a campaign known as ‘we are equal’ aimed at closing the gender gap in Africa.

“Closing the gender gap in Africa is not an act of charity for girls and women, but an act of justice and common sense that will benefit us all,” Maama Janet noted.