President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni praised former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. John Patrick Amama Mbabazi and his wife, Mrs. Jacqueline Mbabazi, for their significant contributions to Uganda's reorientation and stability. The commendation came as the couple celebrated their 50th marriage anniversary at Serena Hotel, Kampala, with President Museveni and First Lady Maama Janet in attendance.
“I congratulate Rt Hon. Mbabazi and Jacqueline; first and foremost, for being with us in the struggle of reorienting Uganda from the wrong direction to the correct direction,” he said.
Museveni highlighted the couple's role in the struggle to reorient Uganda towards a positive direction before the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government came into power. He lauded their commitment to building a family amid the instability of the resistance struggle, acknowledging the challenges faced by freedom fighters in balancing personal life with the intensity of the cause.
“When you are a freedom fighter, you are more than a priest because you are committed but you are committed to something dangerous and disruptive so we must praise God to see that we the freedom fighters were able to also have families,” he said.
The President also recounted his early encounters with Rt. Hon. Mbabazi in the 1970s and praised him for helping to rebuild the elite network that had been disrupted during that time. He acknowledged the pivotal roles played by Rt. Hon. Mbabazi and Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire in recruiting fighters for the Front for National Salvation (FRONASA), which contributed to the liberation struggle.
In recognition of their milestone, President Museveni and Maama Janet gifted the couple 20 Friesian cows. Despite past differences, President Museveni assured Rt. Hon. Mbabazi of his appreciation for his contributions to Uganda's transformation. Rt. Hon. Mbabazi, in turn, expressed gratitude for the support received from President Museveni and highlighted the strength of their relationship, describing it as a pact of survival and resistance.
Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, former Prime Minister and friend of Rt. Hon. Mbabazi, also congratulated the couple and thanked President Museveni for recognizing Rt. Hon. Mbabazi's capabilities. Mrs. Jacqueline Mbabazi thanked God, friends, family, and the Church for their support throughout their journey, acknowledging the challenges they faced but also the joy experienced over the years.
The celebration of Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi and Mrs. Jacqueline Mbabazi's 50th marriage anniversary was not only a personal milestone but also a moment to reflect on their significant contributions to Uganda's history and development, as acknowledged by President Museveni and other attendees.
