One of the earliest local administration leaders in 1959, he went to Makerere college then, later university of London and university of Wisconsin in the US. He served from 1967 as secretary of the of the East African Development (EADB) and later in 1973, he was appointed Chairman and Managing Director of the Uganda Commercial Bank (UCB), precursor to the current Stanbic Bank, till 1978. He was the one of the early district Chairmen of Hoima and joined Government as minister for trade and industry in 1989, later as minister for water, lands and environment and eventually public service, retiring as third Deputy Prime Minister. He was very influential in establishing the roots of the NRM in Bunyoro region in the early years and brought one of the religious faiths to an early NRM that had sought to distance itself from all association with religion. He lives in Kitoba, near Hoima and turns 89, this year. His name is Mzee Henry Muganwa Kajura.

One of the early veterinary doctors in Uganda with an influential role in establishing the Makerere university veterinary Department, he straddles between animal medicine, philosophy and politics. He graduated from the University of Nairobi and later the university of California Davis. He takes politics with a keen sense of white and black and often uses his science background to judge social issues. He served Rubabo county in the NRC very well and is now retired producing one of the best fertilizer brands for coffee production. He helped shape the early agricultural policy of NRM as minister and retired as Vice Chancellor of Makerere university. His name is Prof. George Mondo Kagonyera and he turns 82 this year.

He is a doctor of philosophy and at the defeat of Idi Amin in 1979, he became minister for lands until 1980. He returned to teaching at Makerere as head of sociology Department and returned to politics representing Igara in the 1989 elections of the NRC. He served as minister in the Prime Minister’s office, minister for disaster preparedness, Director for external relations at the NRM secretariat, among other positions. He retired recently and along with Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu, they are working hard to support the research, growing and certification of our Ugandan green teas which have the immune booster – Anthocyanin. His name Prof Bazaana Tarsis Kabwegyere and turns 82, in April this year.

He is an agricultural scientist who led the research on the effect of Gemini viruses on the symptom severity, growth and root yield of cassava in Uganda, among other research he has done at Makerere university. He switched professions and joined politics to represent the Agago north Constituency under the banner of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and became leader of opposition in Parliament. He later ran as an independent. He retired from politics into developing his farm and improving Agricultural production in northern Uganda. He is an affable, articulate and kind man who plays accommodative politics and an example of a centrist in the way he approaches public issues. I know this because sometime in 2014, without any need for invitation, my wife and I received him at our farm along with several ministers and MPs of the Movement and he spent a day with us teaching as well as learning from us. His name is Prof. Morris Ogenga Latigo

A man passionate about botany and plant species, he was a lecturer and warden of Mitchell Hall in 1971 at Makerere university when one morning he woke up to an announcement on the only radio at the time, Radio Uganda, that he had been made minister for education by Idi Amin. By 1973, he was unable to keep the job given the reign of terror by Amin on the educated people. He tendered in his resignation while in Nairobi by telex and went into full time exile, holding teaching positions at the university of Zambia and entering a network of those fighting Idi Amin from outside the country. He would attend the Moshi conference in March 1979 and become the Chairman of the Uganda National Consultative Council (NCC), the first parliament after Idi Amin. He is known for his close associates, Professors Yash Tandon, Omwony Ojok and Dani Wadada Nabudere. In a sarcastic quip that easily caught on, the late President Godfrey Binaisa called this group the “Gang of four”, after Chairman Mao Zedong’s group in power that included Jiang Qing, Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan and Wang Hongwen. He returned to public life as our Ambassador to South Africa in 1995 and later he served as Minister for Tourism and Antiquities. He asked the President to release him into retirement when the president appointed him to serve as an ambassador to France. He didn’t want to leave the country again for long periods. He instead returned to education sector and heading the mountains of the Moon University. His name is Prof. Edward Bitanywaine Rugumayo and he turns 88 in December this year.

In 1993 at the peak of the debate between the Movement system and the yearning for opening up political space for political parties that were then banned, she would come to Makerere University and debate Kahinda Otafire, then colonel, in the university quadrangle. Courageous, eloquent, and combative when she has to make a point, she was very impressive standing word to word, foot to foot with a somewhat popular army officer with students, a fellow who would come swashbuckling with a pistol and full military attire. Students would ululate and shout, giving her support not on account of her views but her act of courage at a time when many were too shy to speak for the UPC. She worked in the 1980s at the Uganda embassy in Nairobi, with the advisory Board of trade and she won Miss Uganda contest in 1969. Losing her seat in 2006 to the son of the UPC founder, she switched constituencies and parties and won in Dokolo. She has mellowed as she has grown older and become pretty accommodating, a good example, and a wonderful mother to many in politics. Her name is Cecilia Atim Ogwal and she represents Dokolo district as a woman Member of parliament.

One of the most eloquent debaters in the constituent assembly and the NRC before it, he retired from politics at the age of 53 and took on new causes in legal practice and business. He founded the Chamber of Mines and petroleum and Kampala-associated advocates. He has been a champion of enterprise in Uganda and his last position was chair of the Private Sector Foundation. His name is Elly Karuhanga

She is a veteran politician and diplomat who has served Uganda with distinction in various capacities. A former Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Welfare, she is a woman with strong leadership skills which she has used to contribute to the economic growth of Uganda. Her tireless efforts to promote gender equality, empower women, and improve agricultural practices have positively impacted the lives of Ugandans and positioned her as a champion of social development.

She was a representative for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in China, Mongolia, South Korea, and Ethiopia. She is currently chairperson of the governing board of the Uganda Agribusiness Alliance. Its purpose is to unite all those involved in the industry to best optimize their ability to profitably and sustainably pursue global opportunities in agriculture. She turned 75 years old last Saturday and her name is Hon. Victoria Sekitoleko

Born in July 1941, she is an educationist and politician who has dedicated her life to the improvement of the education system in Uganda. Bitamazire is the Chancellor of the Uganda Management Institute and was a minister of education and sports (twice) where she spearheaded numerous initiatives and reforms that have positively impacted the education sector. Previously, she served as a director of the East African Harbors Corporation, part of the East African Community, headteacher of Tororo Girls School, and senior education officer in the Ministry of Education. She served as a member of parliament representing Mpigi district women. With her vast experience, Bitamazire has tirelessly worked towards ensuring quality education for all Ugandan citizens, especially those from underdeveloped communities. Her unwavering commitment to education has empowered individuals and equipped them with the skills necessary for sustainable development. She is a role model for women in leadership. One of her major contributions was spearheading the rollout of the Universal Primary Education (UPE) program which is a foundation of the education sector and has benefited millions of Ugandans.

Her name is Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire and she turns 82 in July this year.

She is an Associate Professor of Performing Arts, she has taught Drama, Theatre Marketing, and Folklore since 1995 at the Performing Arts and Film Department at Makerere University. Dr. Ntangaare is a playwright, dramatist poet, storyteller, and creative writer. Her book, A History of Theatre Development in Uganda, was the first ever historical documentation of Uganda’s theatre. She is a founder of Eastern Africa Theatre Institute (EATI), a regional theatre network operating in Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Ethiopia, and director of the Theatre Documentaries company to produces rare, unique, high-value theatre and entertainment for children, youth, and general audiences in Uganda. The institute distinguishes itself for the performance of theatre classics, circus theatre, mime, theatre sports, Ugandan ethnic art, and culture. Her name is Dr. Mercy Mirembe Ntangaare