Presidential Envoy praises Museveni’s decades of sacrifice, peace-building and service to Uganda and East Africa
By Brian Mugenyi
KAMPALA, UGANDA — As he sat in his office at Kampala Kingdom on Tuesday, the familiar rhythm of official business continued around Vice President Emeritus and Presidential Envoy on Political Affairs Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi.
From his office on the fourth floor, Ssekandi reflected on a political journey that has stretched across decades, one that has seen him serve alongside President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at some of the highest levels of government.
But on Tuesday, his attention turned to a more personal occasion — Museveni’s birthday.
Ssekandi used the occasion to congratulate the President, praising what he described as his visionary leadership, sacrifice and contribution to Uganda and the wider East African region.
In a message shared on his official X account, Ssekandi wrote:
“Happiest birthday Your Excellency @KagutaMuseveni. Having had the honour of serving alongside you, I remain deeply inspired by your visionary leadership and monumental contribution to the peace and progress of Uganda and the wider East African region. Your legacy of sacrifice and service continues to light the path for generations to come. I wish you excellent health, great joy, and the continuous guidance of the Almighty in this new chapter.”
The message offered a glimpse into the relationship between two politicians who have spent much of their public lives within Uganda’s changing political landscape.
Ssekandi served as Speaker of Parliament from 2001 to 2011 before becoming Vice President, a position he held until 2021. His years in senior government placed him alongside Museveni during periods of major political, economic and institutional change.
For Ssekandi, the birthday message was therefore more than a ceremonial greeting.
It was a reflection on leadership and the meaning of public service.
A LEADERSHIP JOURNEY SPANNING DECADES
President Museveni has been at the centre of Uganda’s political life since 1986, when the National Resistance Movement came to power.
Supporters credit his administration with restoring relative stability after years of political turmoil and investing in roads, education, healthcare, electricity and other infrastructure.
His government has also pursued programmes aimed at transforming Uganda from a predominantly subsistence economy into a more commercial and industrial economy.
The President’s supporters have repeatedly described these efforts as part of a broader strategy to protect what they call Uganda’s development gains.
Critics, however, continue to raise questions about governance, political competition, democratic space and the durability of institutions.
Those competing perspectives have made Museveni one of the most consequential and debated political figures in Uganda’s modern history.
SSEKANDI’S VIEW FROM INSIDE GOVERNMENT
Ssekandi’s tribute carries particular weight because he spent a decade serving as Vice President under Museveni.
During that period, he travelled extensively across the country, interacting with communities, local leaders and government institutions.
He witnessed firsthand the challenges facing rural communities and the demands placed on government to deliver services.
His birthday message therefore places emphasis on three themes: peace, progress and service.
For Ssekandi, leadership is ultimately measured by what it leaves behind for future generations.
His reference to Museveni’s “legacy of sacrifice and service” reflects the view among his supporters that the President’s contribution should be assessed over the long period of Uganda’s political and economic transformation.
UGANDA AND THE EAST AFRICAN QUESTION
Ssekandi also highlighted Museveni’s contribution beyond Uganda’s borders.
The President has for decades played an active role in regional political and economic affairs, advocating East African integration and stronger regional cooperation.
Uganda’s participation in the East African Community has increasingly connected its economy to neighbouring markets, while regional cooperation remains central to discussions about trade, security and infrastructure.
For Ssekandi, such engagement forms part of a wider legacy that extends beyond national politics.
THE MEANING OF A BIRTHDAY MESSAGE
Birthday messages from political leaders often contain carefully chosen words.
Ssekandi’s message was no different.
But beneath the formal congratulations was a personal acknowledgment from a man who served alongside Museveni for years.
His words — particularly the reference to sacrifice, service and a legacy that “continues to light the path” — suggest that he views leadership as something that ultimately belongs to generations beyond those currently holding office.
That perspective is particularly relevant as Uganda continues to debate its political future, generational leadership and institutional development.
The country is entering a period in which questions of succession, continuity and political renewal are likely to remain prominent.
Yet Ssekandi’s message deliberately focused on the present: gratitude for a long political partnership and wishes for health, happiness and divine guidance.
A LEGACY STILL BEING WRITTEN
Back at Kampala Kingdom, the business of government and public life continues.
Ssekandi’s office remains a reminder of a political generation that has witnessed Uganda move through profound changes.
His birthday message to Museveni similarly connects the past with the future — a recognition of years already spent in public service and a reminder that leadership is ultimately judged by the legacy it leaves behind.
For Ssekandi, that legacy is defined by sacrifice, peace and service.
And as Museveni begins another year of his life, his former Vice President’s message carries a simple wish: good health, great joy and continued guidance as another chapter unfolds.
For political leaders may hold office for a season, but the legacy they leave behind is measured by the generations that inherit the country they helped shape.
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