The Commissioner at the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps, Ms Hellen Seku played a pivotal role in shaping President Yoweri Museveni’s 80th birthday wish, emphasizing African unity and prosperity.
On the occasion of his milestone birthday, His Excellency President Museveni was congratulated by numerous Ugandans, including those who physically attended celebrations at Kijaguzo and Kawumu on September 15th 2024.
However, according to a long tweet on his Twitter handle (formerly X) , His Excellency Museveni reveals that it was his Private Secretary on Youth Affairs, Ms Seku’s gentle reminder that prompted the President to reveal his heartfelt wish.
Museveni admitted that he had not told his well-wishers his birthday wish but Ms Seku whom he described as his muzukulu (granddaughter)asked about it.
“However, yesterday the Muzzukulu Hellen Seku told me that as a baby boy birthday celebrant, I had not told my well-wishers my birthday wish. Since I have not been in the culture of celebrating birthdays, I did not know about that element. In order to rectify the matter, fellow Ugandans and Africans, forgive the ignorance of the recent birthday celebrant and here below is my birthday wish”, revealed Museveni.
As disclosed on the handle, His Excellency Museveni’s wish focuses on realizing the Pan-African dream: establishing an East African Political Federation and consolidating the Continental Free Trade Area. This vision, shared by legendary African leaders, according to President Museveni aims to achieve three historical missions namely; Prosperity by Ensuring wealth creators and all Africans have a vast market for their products. Strategic Security: Establishing powerful, integrated defense systems to protect Africa from threats on land, air, sea, and space. Then Brotherhood: Leveraging African unity to achieve prosperity and security.
The President reflected on Mwalimu Nyerere’s historic offer to delay Tanganyika’s independence to synchronize with Uganda and Kenya’s, potentially forming a single nation. Museveni considers this missed opportunity a mistake, cautioning that Africa may become fragmented like Latin America instead of becoming a united continent.
“This is what our elders – Wazee, Mwalimu Nyerere, Nkurumah, Modibo Keita, Sekou Toure, Jomo Kenyatta, Tom Mboya, Grace Ibingira, Mwai Kibaki, Arap Moi, Jaramogi Odinga,Ngombale-Mwiru, Joseph Nyerere, Joe Murumbi, Abeid Karume, etc. – have been struggling for, for all these years”, said Museveni.
In response, the Private Secretary for Youth Affairs in the President’s Office -State House, Ms Seku assured Museveni that his birthday wishes will be fulfilled , as long as God gives them life.
“Thank you Jaaja. We shall live to fulfill your birthday wishes as long as God gives life,” said Ms Seku.
Commissioner Seku’s influence over the President’s wish underscores the significance of youthful engagement in Africa’s development. Her interaction with Museveni demonstrates the potential for cross-generational collaboration involving the young people in shaping the continent’s future.
As Uganda and Africa move forward, President Museveni’s 80th birthday wish, inspired by Hellen Seku, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of collective progress , cooperation as well as continental political integration that the President has always preached and advocated for.
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