BY ROSE KASIGWA

Janet Kataaha Museveni, the First Lady of Uganda and the esteemed Minister of Education and Sports, has been conferred with the prestigious International Women Icon Award 2025 by Binary University Malaysia.

This recognition highlights her significant contributions to education and women’s empowerment, both within Uganda and on the global stage.

The award acknowledged her unwavering dedication to improving educational access and quality, particularly for girls and marginalized communities.

Binary University Malaysia, known for its commitment to fostering leadership and innovation, selected Mrs. Museveni for her exemplaryleadership and transformative impact on national development.

This accolade further solidifies her position as a leading figure in advocating for sustainable development goals related to education and gender equality.

Speaking at the ceremony held on November 23,2025 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 described 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. For sports we had not done a lot, we had a few stadiums but, in her time, we have come up and we are shining, this is partly because of Maama’s prayers together with her team,” President Museveni remarked.

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.

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 devoted to uplifting the marginalized and transforming lives across the nation,” the Deputy Vice Chancellor said.

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 recognize 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.