President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has said people who contribute to the development of a society should be remembered and appreciated. 

He said this on Thursday during the Elders Mentorship/Leadership Awards luncheon 2024 held at State House Entebbe.

The event was organized by the Office of the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Duties, which is headed by Odrek Rwabwogo.

Vice-President Jessica Alupo making her remarks during the Elders Mentorship luncheon 2024 at the State House Entebbe.

Rwabwogo also serves as the chairperson of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID).

“I want to salute Mr Odrek Rwabwogo and his group for remembering to do this and following it up. I normally support them, but they are the ones who brought the idea and pushed it," said Museveni.

"I thank them because if you don't recognize people who do well, then you let down society because (...) you may create a situation where people don't bother to excel in doing well."

Some of the guests attending the Elders Mentorship luncheon 2024 in honour of the late Rt Hon Jacob Oulanyah at the State House Entebbe on March 28, 2024.

The ceremony was organized under the theme: 'Modelling the right behaviour for the youth of Africa in the 21st Century'.

The Elders Mentorship/Leadership Awards recognize individuals who have shown exceptional service and leadership in their respective fields, making a significant positive impact on Uganda's development. 

On Thursday, at least 16 elders were recognized for their role in the development of Uganda. 

Tributes were paid to the late former Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, for his dedication and commitment to public service.

Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Duties Odrek Rwabwogo making his remarks during the Elders Mentorship luncheon 2024.

In his comments, Museveni said that to get the accurate mentorship, people must first understand the story of nature and society as well as the story of the human being as the primary changer of society. 

“Advancement of science and technology is the primal of social change. In advanced societies, man is able to tame nature. Therefore, in your mentorship, you must clarify the role of science and technology in any society to deal with the issue of oppression of man by nature,” he advised the organizers.

The President also said the NRM government's progress is a result of what he called "accurate diagnosis" of the Ugandan society's needs and coming up with solutions for them.

Minister of Justice and constitutional Affairs Norbert Mao speaking during the Elders Mentorship at the State House Entebbe.

He also underlined the importance of discipline.

"If you are disciplined on the wrong line, you will not get results. The NRM government has been able to make some progress because of that. That is why we have been able to bring stability." 

Museveni added that spirituality is also very crucial because it adds to the discipline; "It makes people know that there's a superior force that is looking at what we are doing.”

'Oulanyah listened to NRM message'

On the late Oulanyah, the President said the former Omoro county legislator who died in March 2022 embraced the message of the NRM government.

The Speaker of the House of Peoples Representative of Ethiopia, Tagesse Chafo delivering a keynote address during the Elders Mentorship luncheon 2024 in honour of the late Rt Hon Jacob Oulanyah at the State House Entebbe on March 28, 2024.

“You remember he started off from UPC, but when he listened to the message of the NRM, he was honest enough to say that 'I think these people are right'. 

"He was able to listen intellectually to what we were saying, and he was persuaded by the accuracy of what we were describing and eventually joined the NRM and became very prominent in the party.

"That is how he ended up becoming the Speaker, which is position number three in the whole country after President and Vice-President.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in a group photo with Elders mentorship/leadership award 2024 winners.

“Oulanyah was able to do what he did because of a correct vision and if you all follow what we have been saying, the country will move very fast because we have got everything here, but the main problem has been what should be done and why; you find people doing things which are not answering that question. What is the correct thing to do? We have told you about the commercialization of agriculture with 'ekibaro' [calculation], industries and artisanship, services and ICT.”

During the function at State House, Vice-President Jessica Alupo congratulated the awardees for their fundamental role in the socio-economic transformation of Uganda.

Omoro County Member of Parliament Hon. Andrew Ojok, the son of the Late Rt Hon Jacob Oulanyah Speaking on behalf of the former Speaker's family during the Elders Mentorship luncheon 2024.

“Your Excellency, the theme of today's ceremony resonates very well with what you are known for in the African Union, that is, the champion of integration because the theme underscores the role of the youth in the transformation of the African Continent,” she said.

Siblings 'from another mother'

In attendance was the visiting Speaker of the House of People’s Representatives of Ethiopia, Tagesse Chafo Dullo.

In his keynote address, he conveyed greetings from the people of Ethiopia to the President and people of Uganda.

“We are brothers and sisters from another mother. Allow me to extend my sincere appreciation to the people and government of Uganda for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to me and my delegation,” said Chafo.

Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Duties Odrek Rwabwogo

He thanked President Museveni and his government for establishing a national platform to recognize public servants who have served their country with integrity and courage.

“We must empower and pave a way for the African youth to assume their rightful positions through the right mentorship and guidance. As we strive for economic growth, innovation, peace and stability, we must not just include young African leaders but also actively engage and empower them,” said the Ethiopian top legislator.

Chafo said Oulanyah was a brilliant and ambitious African leader who led by example. 

Vice-President Jessica Alupo shakes hands with the Speaker of the House of Peoples Representative of Ethiopia Tagesse Chafo in the presence of the Ethiopian Ambassador to Uganda Etsegenet Bezabih (left) after attending the Elders Mentorship luncheon 2024.

'Leadership is about mission'

Justice minister Norbert Mao also spoke at the event.

“This year, the spotlight is on Speaker Jacob Oulanyah but within that same spotlight are people who personify those qualities that made him a celebrated figure," he said.

"In reality, we are celebrating the potential of Jacob Oulanyah; I don't think we got the best of him and that is why the nation mourned.

“Leadership is not about office but mission."

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in a group photo with the guests that attended the Elders Mentorship luncheon 2024.

On his part, Rwabwogo said the mentorship awards ceremony also aims to remind the young generation of the value of dignified and exemplary service by the older retired public servants, who exit Uganda’s public service to pave the way for the young ones.

“I want to thank Mr President for allowing us to host this luncheon and award some few people he chose this year. I ask you, the young people, to look at those people who have done well before us by serving our country and learn from them. Don’t back down from doing the right thing."

Omoro county MP Andrew Ojok, who stepped in his late father's parliamentary footsteps, spoke on behalf of the Oulanyah family.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni hands over a Mentorship 2024 award to Justice George Kanyeihamba for setting a good example in public leadership and being a mentor to the young generation during the Elders Mentorship luncheon 2024.

He said his father was a mentor to many and worked towards the development of Uganda. 

“Mr President, permit me to thank you in a special way not only for opening your door to make this event possible this year, but also taking deliberate steps to ensure that the special interest groups, especially the youth, are involved in the leadership management of this country,” he said. 

“Permit me to also thank you for standing with the family of the late Jacob Oulanyah both whenhe was still alive and when he passed on. Our father's legacy is one of integrity, reconciliation, institutionalism and Ubuntu."

Former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi hands over the Biography of the late Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah to the his (late Oulanyah) children during the Elders Mentorship luncheon 2024

Oulanyah's father, Nathan Okori, thanked the government for honouring the late Speaker. 

“I am really grateful that my late son is still remembered.”