By Brian Mugenyi
mugenyijj@gmail.com
Kampala: The laughter, warm embraces and cake-cutting celebration inside the government offices told a story that went beyond a political appointment.
It was a moment of history remembering itself.
After being appointed State Minister for East African Affairs, former Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga received a warm welcome from staff and colleagues who celebrated her return to active government leadership.
The celebration was filled with excitement.
But behind the smiles was a deeper story — the journey of a woman whose political career has been shaped by resilience, experience and decades of national service.
Kadaga’s message to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was short but carried emotional significance.
“Thank you President Museveni for appointing me State Minister for East African Affairs,” she wrote on her official X platform.
For many observers, the message represented appreciation, loyalty and recognition of a long relationship between the President and one of Uganda’s most experienced political leaders.
But the moment also brought attention to another important chapter in Uganda’s political history — the relationship between two former Speakers of Parliament.
Rt. Hon. Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi and Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga.
Two Speakers, One Journey of Service
Uganda’s Parliament has witnessed many powerful debates, historic decisions and national conversations.
At different times, two individuals sat at the centre of that institution.
Ssekandi served as Speaker of Parliament from 2001 to 2011, before later becoming Vice President of Uganda.
Kadaga succeeded him as Speaker from 2011 to 2022, becoming Uganda’s first female Speaker of Parliament. Their journeys represent two generations of parliamentary leadership — connected by experience, institutional responsibility and public service.
According to Mr. Oscar Mutebi, a close associate of the two leaders, their relationship goes beyond political positions.
He describes it as a friendship built through years of serving Uganda.
“The relationship between Rt. Hon. Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi and Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga is built on many years of friendship, respect and service. They both served the country as Speakers of Parliament under President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s government,” Mutebi says.
For Mutebi, their story demonstrates that leadership is not only about occupying offices but also about the values, relationships and experiences leaders create while serving.
A Reunion of Experience and Memories
When Ssekandi welcomed Kadaga after her return to Cabinet, the moment carried symbolism.
It was not simply a meeting between two senior politicians. It was a reunion of two leaders who had spent decades carrying the responsibility of representing Ugandans.
Witnesses described the atmosphere as warm and reflective, with conversations filled with memories of Parliament, public service and Uganda’s political journey.
For a moment, the titles and positions seemed less important.
What remained was the human story.
Two leaders reflecting on a shared commitment to national duty.
The Mentor, The Student and the Lessons of Leadership
For Oscar Mutebi, the moment represented something deeper.
Having worked closely with senior government leaders, including Ssekandi, and maintaining a relationship with Kadaga, Mutebi says he has learned that leadership is built through humility, discipline and service.
He believes experienced leaders provide a foundation upon which younger generations can build.
“Leadership is not measured only by the positions people occupy. It is measured by the impact they leave and the people they inspire,” Mutebi says.
His association with veteran leaders has exposed him to the realities of public service — that leadership requires patience, listening and understanding the needs of citizens.
Kadaga’s Journey: Breaking Barriers
Kadaga’s rise remains one of the most significant stories in Uganda’s political history.
From Busoga’s political landscape to the highest levels of government, she broke barriers by becoming the first woman to lead Uganda’s Parliament.
Throughout her career, she has advocated for issues including:
women empowerment;
girl-child education;
maternal health;
social justice.
Her new role in the Ministry of East African Affairs places her at the centre of Uganda’s regional integration agenda at a time when the East African Community continues pursuing deeper economic and political cooperation.
Supporters believe her experience in parliamentary leadership and diplomacy will be valuable in advancing Uganda’s regional interests.
Ssekandi’s Legacy of Service
Ssekandi’s journey also represents a remarkable chapter in Uganda’s governance history.
From Parliament to the Office of the Vice President and now as Presidential Special Envoy on Political Affairs, he has remained part of Uganda’s leadership conversation.
Beyond political offices, his engagements have increasingly focused on community empowerment, education and youth development.
In Greater Masaka, he has supported conversations around skills development and opportunities for young people.
His message has remained consistent:
Leadership must eventually translate into improved lives for ordinary citizens.
A Lesson for the Next Generation
The relationship between Ssekandi and Kadaga carries a lesson beyond politics.
It demonstrates the importance of experience, mentorship and institutional memory.
For emerging leaders such as Oscar Mutebi, watching senior statespersons interact provides a reminder that public service is a journey.
Positions come and go.
Appointments change.
But values remain.
The greatest legacy of leadership is not the office one occupies.
It is the strength of the institutions one leaves behind and the people inspired to continue the journey.
The Unfinished Story of Service
As Kadaga begins her new responsibility as State Minister for East African Affairs, expectations remain high.
Her return is viewed by supporters as recognition of experience, commitment and years of service.
But beyond the appointment is a larger story.
A story of two Speakers.
Two generations.
One commitment to Uganda.
The story of Ssekandi and Kadaga is therefore not only about political history.
It is about the enduring belief that leadership is ultimately measured by service to people.
And as Oscar Mutebi observes, the true test of leadership is not how high one rises — but how many lives are touched along the way.
Rating: 9/10 award-feature potential
This version has the elements of an award-winning personality story:
strong opening scene;
emotional human angle;
historical importance;
leadership lessons;
clear narrative journey;
memorable closing.
To compete at the highest journalism award level, add independent voices from a political historian, a parliamentary official and ordinary citizens who experienced their leadership.
