The First Lady and Minister of Education, Mrs Janet K. Museveni, has called on Ugandan women to unite behind the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Museveni as the country heads into the 2026 general elections, citing decades of progress in women’s empowerment, peace and national stability.

Speaking on January 8, 2026, at the Grand Women’s Celebration organised by the NRM National Women’s League at Kololo Independence Grounds, Mrs Museveni said women had a duty not to forget where the country had come from and the role the NRM government had played in transforming their lives.

She told the gathering that President Museveni, who was absent, deeply appreciated the loyalty and support of women across the country, describing their relationship with him as one built on trust and shared history.

“I am here to really bring you his gratitude and appreciation for what he knows to be your sincere and true value that you accord him as your President, brother, father and grandfather,” the First Lady said.

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Mrs Museveni praised the Chairperson of the NRM National Women’s League, Adrine Kobusingye, and her leadership team for organising what she described as a historic national gathering of women, and thanked Vice President Jessica Alupo and Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja for attending.

She said the achievements made by women since 1986 were not accidental but the result of intentional policies by the NRM government aimed at expanding access to education, healthcare, political participation and economic opportunity.

“The emancipation of women was not accidental. It resulted from the intentional, systematic efforts of the NRM Government,” she said, noting that women now occupy the highest offices in the country, including Vice President, Prime Minister and Speaker of Parliament.

The First Lady said economic empowerment programmes such as Emyooga, the Parish Development Model and agricultural initiatives had enabled millions of women to access finance, skills and markets, leading to improved household incomes and social status.

“Women in every part of Uganda now own businesses, lead SACCOs, manage cooperatives, and contribute meaningfully to household incomes,” she said, urging women to aim higher and even consider establishing a women’s bank to advance their financial interests.

Drawing on her experience from Bangladesh, Janet Museveni renewed her call for Ugandan women to adopt a collaborative microfinance model similar to the Grameen Bank, saying such an initiative could demonstrate Africa’s ability to defeat poverty.

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As the election period approaches, she appealed to women to act as custodians of peace, describing them as the “cement that fortifies the house of Uganda.”

“If we say no to violence, then there will be no violence,” she said, calling on women to commit to daily prayers at 5:00am for peace and victory for the NRM.

She also urged women to caution young people against being drawn into violence and demonstrations driven by what she described as selfish political ambitions, while encouraging eligible voters to exercise their constitutional right to vote.

Mrs Museveni concluded by thanking women for their continued support for President Museveni, saying his victory would be a shared victory for women who had benefited from the progress made under his leadership.

“His victory is our victory,” she said, as she wished Ugandans peace and blessings in the new year.