Uganda’s First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni, has been awarded the International Woman ICON Leader Award 2025 by Binary University, Malaysia, in recognition of her decades-long contribution to Uganda’s social transformation.

In her statement of gratitude, the First Lady described the honour as “a testament to God’s goodness,” reflecting on a journey marked by hardship, resilience, and service. She recalled the years of exile—moving through Entebbe, Nairobi, and Sweden—as formative moments that strengthened her resolve to give back to her country.

These experiences, she said, led to the founding of several impactful initiatives, including the Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO), the National Strategy for the Advancement of Rural Women in Uganda (NSARWU), and the Uganda Youth Forum, which played a key role in safeguarding young people from HIV/AIDS.

As Minister for Karamoja and later Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs. Museveni noted that her core mission has remained rooted in uplifting communities, expanding opportunity, and advocating for holistic education for every Ugandan child.

She further emphasized her ongoing campaign against what she termed “Acquired Integrity Deficiency Syndrome,” a moral crisis she believes poses a serious threat to Uganda’s development.

With renewed commitment, she pledged to continue championing ethical leadership and national hope.

The First Lady thanked Professor Joseph Adaikalam and the Binary University team for the recognition, and paid special tribute to President Yoweri Museveni—her husband of 52 years—whom she described as “loyal friendship,” as well as her family for supporting her work and vision.

Mrs. Museveni expressed hope that the award will inspire young Ugandans to embrace patriotism and service, urging them to “lay their brick for Uganda” and always ask what they can do for their country.