The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, has been honoured with the prestigious International Women Icon Award 2025 from Binary University Malaysia.
Speaking at the ceremony held yesterday at State House, Entebbe, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni congratulated the First Lady on the milestone, noting that she deserved it. “I therefore congratulate Maama on this award, she deserves it. I also salute Binary University for having that sharpness of perception and for identifying the big contribution of Maama from far away,” he added.
President Museveni also recognised Maama’s contributions saying that she has played a central role in his life, noting that her support has helped him establish an enduring legacy. He recalled that during his time in the bushwar, Maama Janet shouldered the full responsibility of raising their children, guiding and protecting them as a sole parent.
Museveni also described Maama Janet as a philanthropist whose compassion and humanitarian work continues to touch different lives. “She is a philanthropist. The state should have been the one to take care of the people but it might not have the resources in time so that’s how they came up with UWESO, but they did a wonderful job which the government was unable to do. She started a movement with her colleagues.”
He also commended the First Lady for being a prayer warrior, adding that this has encouraged him to start praying. “I don’t disturb God so much, I pray once in a while, but Maama prays all the time. Now I also pray every day under her command. We pray every night and of course prayers work,” he said. He added that these prayers have played a very significant role in uplifting sports in the country. “Because of those prayers, the sector of sports in Uganda is now a big name internationally.
The award was presented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor and founding Director for the Centre of Women Leadership, Dr. Rohini Devi. This was in recognition of the First Lady’s exceptional contribution to girls’ education, women empowerment, child welfare, and community development over the years. It also celebrates her dedication to championing value-based leadership, integrity, and service to the nation.
Dr. Rohini applauded Maama Janet for her unwavering commitment to ensuring that every Ugandan child has access to quality education and a supportive learning environment, noting that her leadership continues to inspire women across Africa. “As a founder of the Centre for women leadership at Binary University, it’s my distinguished honor to present this award to a very wonderful woman who has lifelessly devoted to uplifting the marginalised and transforming lives across the nation,” the Deputy Vice Chancellor said.
Dr. Rohini further acknowledged Maama Janet’s longstanding commitment to social welfare, citing her founding forums like Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO) which transformed the lives of many orphans, those affected by wars and the HIV/AIDs patients, forming the Youth forum to mentor and empower young people. “She is also the founder and patron of the Youth forum which has helped to nurture the values and characters of the youth.”
Receiving the award, the First Lady expressed gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed her commitment to advancing initiatives that uplift families and strengthen Uganda’s social fabric. “It is so humbling to welcome you this evening to our national house in Entebbe, as I receive this noble award the International Woman ICON leader Award,2025,” she said.
“I thank all the leadership of Binary University Malaysia led by its founder Professor Joseph Adaikalam, for allowing God to use you to recognise my humble contribution to my homeland because there is no other way you would have heard me. Thank you for coming all the way from Malaysia to confer this noble award upon me. This award is simply a testament to the goodness of the Lord in my life as He alone enabled and empowered me to serve Him,” she said.
She went on to thank God for always guiding her throughout her life. “In my life when our family was in exile, God would surprise me from time to time. He would always reveal to me that He is God and He cares,” she revealed. “An example is when He got me and my very young children out of Uganda and later out of Kenya. God would place somebody at the place of our departure to ensure that we are safe.”
Maama Janet also recalled that soon after President Museveni took overpower, an enemy in the form of HIV/ AIDS emerged and it was during that time that she founded UWESO to support orphans and children affected by HIV. “Then, hardly the ray of hope started to shine on our nation following the new leadership of the state by my husband in 1986,then an enemy emerged amongst our people in the form of HIV/AIDS,” she said.
Maama Janet called upon the young generation to always be inspired by good acts of leaders, be hardworking and patriotic. “My prayer now is that this prestigious award will inspire our young population to lay their own brick on this building called Uganda. May we all be inspired to do our part,” she said.
Hon. JC Muyingo, the Minister of State for Higher Education gave a speech on behalf of the Ministry of Education. He congratulated the First Lady upon receiving the international woman Icon Award, 2025.
Professor Joseph Adaikalam, the founder and Chancellor Binary University, Malaysia said he was deeply honoured to gather, recognise and celebrate the Maama Janet.
Binary University Malaysia focuses mainly on entrepreneurship, promoting investment and has nurtured hundreds of young entrepreneurs and it mainly focuses on producing graduates who are not only academically smart but industry ready.
The event was also attended by a team from Binary University, government officials, among others.