Janet K Museveni, Uganda’s First Lady and Minister of Education, had a heart-to-heart with Mrs. Zita Oligui Nguema, Gabon’s First Lady. Mrs. Nguema joined her husband, Brig. Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, the transitional President of Gabon, on an official visit to Uganda. If you’ve ever wondered what a royal gossip session looks like, this might just be your chance to find out.
Mrs. Nguema was in Uganda, not just to soak in the vibrant Ugandan sunshine, but also to accompany her husband, H.E. Brig. Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, the Transitional President of Gabon. Their official visit to Uganda was, in the words of Mrs. Museveni, an “occasion to remember.” Janet Museveni, with the enthusiasm of a child opening a Christmas gift, extended a warm welcome to Mrs. Nguema. During their chat, she couldn’t resist drawing parallels between Gabon’s political transition and Uganda’s own turbulent past. “It’s like reminiscing about the days when we had to trek to school barefoot,” she mused. It seems Uganda’s historical struggles are now a benchmark for Gabon’s recovery—a bit like using a donkey cart to judge the performance of a Lamborghini.
During their discussion, Museveni reflected on the trials and tribulations Uganda has faced, likening them to the proverbial ‘Kampala traffic jam’—endless, frustrating, but somehow manageable with a bit of patience. She was quick to acknowledge the political upheavals in Gabon and the impressive strides they’ve made towards stability. It was a bit like saying, “If you think your village’s potholes are bad, try managing an entire country’s transition.”
Museveni also couldn’t resist a moment of divine reflection, attributing Uganda’s current state of affairs to “God’s grace”—a nod to the Ugandan belief that everything, from a successful harvest to a traffic-free day, is a blessing from above. She reminisced about Uganda’s past struggles with the sort of nostalgia that only comes from surviving a rollercoaster ride of political and social upheaval.
Their conversation veered towards a sobering reality check—despite Africa’s wealth of resources, poverty remains an unwelcome guest at many tables. Museveni and Nguema’s discussion was a reminder that, much like trying to get a decent signal in rural Uganda, progress is often slow and fraught with challenges. Yet, they both expressed hope that small efforts could gradually lead to a more self-reliant Africa. Janet emphasized that every little effort counts towards self-reliance, “Even if you have a mountain of Posho, you still need some beans to make a proper meal.”
Mrs. Nguema’s dedication to improving Gabon’s social, educational, and health sectors struck a chord with Janet. The First Ladies bonded over their shared mission to uplift youth and tackle common challenges. It was akin to comparing notes on how to handle an unruly village council meeting—both understand the struggle of trying to keep everyone on the same page. Museveni was particularly moved by Mrs. Nguema’s emphasis on hope and inspiration, which she likened to the motivational chants heard during Ugandan sports events. She also appreciated Mrs. Nguema’s recognition of the divine purpose in her political journey.
As the visit wrapped up, Museveni extended a heartfelt welcome to President Nguema, Mrs. Nguema, and their entourage, hoping their time in Uganda was as enjoyable as a well-cooked Matooke and as fulfilling as a successful cattle auction in Teso.
