First Lady Janet Museveni Urges Women To Safeguard Peace, Build Economic Power Ahead Of 2026 Vote

By Gad Masereka

As Uganda moves closer to the 2026 general elections, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataha Museveni, has placed women at the centre of both the country’s political stability and its economic future, urging them to translate decades of empowerment into sustained national influence.

Addressing thousands of women gathered at Kololo Independence Grounds on January 8 during a national celebration organised by the NRM Women’s League, Mrs Museveni framed her message less as a campaign rally and more as a reflection on shared history.

She reminded the audience that many of the freedoms and opportunities women now enjoy were shaped by deliberate policy choices made since the National Resistance Movement came to power in 1986.

She told the gathering that President Yoweri Museveni, who was not present, remained deeply appreciative of the support women have consistently given him, describing their bond as rooted in trust built over generations. “I am here to bring you his gratitude and appreciation for the sincere value you accord him as your President, brother, father and grandfather,” she said, drawing warm applause from the crowd.

The First Lady credited women’s progress in education, health and leadership to intentional government action rather than chance. She pointed to the presence of women in the country’s highest offices, including Vice President, Prime Minister and Speaker of Parliament, as evidence of a political environment that has steadily widened space for female participation.

Beyond politics, she shifted attention to economic independence, highlighting government programmes such as Emyooga, the Parish Development Model and agricultural initiatives that have enabled millions of women to access credit, skills and markets.

According to Mrs Museveni, these programmes have reshaped households and communities, with women increasingly running businesses, leading savings groups and contributing directly to family incomes.

Yet she challenged the audience to think beyond existing frameworks. Drawing on lessons from Bangladesh, she proposed the creation of a women led bank that could consolidate financial gains and give women greater control over capital. Such an institution, she argued, would not only deepen empowerment but also demonstrate that African driven solutions can defeat poverty.

Her remarks also carried a strong appeal for calm as the election season intensifies. Describing women as the moral backbone of society, she urged them to act as guardians of peace in their homes and communities. “If we say no to violence, then there will be no violence,” she said, encouraging women to guide young people away from unrest and to promote dialogue instead.

She went further, calling for daily early morning prayers for peace and national unity, linking spiritual responsibility with civic duty. Eligible voters, she added, should exercise their constitutional right peacefully, reminding them that stability has been central to Uganda’s development trajectory.

As the event drew to a close, Mrs Museveni returned to the theme of shared ownership of progress. She thanked women for standing with President Museveni over the years and suggested that any future electoral victory would reflect their collective journey. “His victory is our victory,” she said, offering a message that blended gratitude, expectation and continuity as the country enters another decisive political chapter.