Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who celebrated his 80th birthday on Sunday, September 15, pledged to offer free education in government primary and secondary schools.
The event in Kijjaguzo village, Nakaseke District, featured prayers and reflections on Museveni's leadership, which has spanned thirty-eight years since his 1986 election.
Joined by family, Ugandans, political allies, and religious leaders, Museveni emphasized that education should be accessible to all, regardless of financial standing. “No child should be paying fees in government primary and secondary schools. We shall address this issue," he declared.
The president also promised to rehabilitate roads in the Masulita-Luwero, Kiwoko-Butalangu, and Butalangu-Kapeeka-Nakwaya areas, with plans to visit and personally engage with local communities. He also urged citizens to hold their leaders accountable for service delivery.
Museveni expressed gratitude for the birthday wishes and reflected on his life, thanking his parents and his wife, Janet Museveni, for their support. He acknowledged Kijjaguzo village for its historical significance in the rise of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and his ascent to power.
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Museveni's tenure has brought economic growth, particularly in agriculture and infrastructure, boosting Uganda’s trade, especially in tea, coffee, and gold exports.
However, his administration has been criticized for human rights violations and restrictions on political freedoms, and opposition figures like Kizza Besigye and Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) have challenged his leadership.
Despite tensions with Western nations over governance issues, Museveni continues to work with international partners in defense, health, and trade.
As Uganda's longest-serving president, he remains deeply involved in local and continental politics and shows no signs of stepping down after recent constitutional amendments removed presidential age limits.
