First Lady praises African MPs’ family values stance

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First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Mrs Janet Museveni has commended delegates from the 2nd African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family Values and Sovereignty for standing up and speaking against anything that threatens the human family.

“It is time for Africa to truly stand up and speak for itself for a change. We have been bulldozed into all sorts of things, but this time, surely, we must be able to stand up and say ‘NO’ and nobody can push it down our throats,” the First Lady said.

This occurred during a meeting with an 11-man delegation that paid a courtesy visit to her at State House Nakasero in Kampala, on the sidelines of the three-day African Inter-Parliamentary Conference in Entebbe. The team, led by Tororo Woman MP Sarah Opendi and chairperson of the conference that commenced on May 1, 2024, met the First Lady on Thursday, May 2, 2024, to update her on the proceedings and key messages from the conference. The conference was attended by Speakers, Deputy Speakers, and Heads of Delegations from 20 countries.

According to Opendi, the conference was organised to bring together MPs and leaders from African countries to help them understand the activities and plans of some international organizations, particularly those concerning Africa. She stated that the key message from the conference is that the hope for the world lies in Africa. Specifically, Uganda should unite Africa and lead the effort to save the world, and Africa in particular, from extinction.

Mrs Museveni acknowledged the significant challenge currently facing the family and thanked all those willing to offer themselves to stand up and be counted for speaking against agendas that are detrimental to the survival of the human family.

“We thank you and value what you are doing for the human family across the globe in this season. Some of us may not be at the forefront, but we are right there, backing you up with our prayers and our humble contributions to that struggle in our different capacities in our nations,” Mrs Museveni told the delegates.

She noted that it is pleasing and a blessing to know that Africa has a role it can play in the world in something as vital as preserving the human family. “We cannot give up on this and we pray that God will indeed uphold us and empower us to stand up, speak, and refuse to be intimidated and driven this way and that way,” she stated.

Concerns shared

Among the issues of concern shared by the delegates were the proposed amendment of the International Health Regulations, the pandemic treaty agenda, and the transgender healthcare guidelines that are being promoted by the World Health Organization.

Dr Seyoum Teklemariam Antonios, the director of Family Watch Africa, said the sovereignty of African nations has been under attack for several years. He expressed that the pandemic treaty and transgender healthcare guidelines pose serious threats to the growth and development of the African continent and all African nations. He urged Africa to unite and reject these treaties. He also requested Uganda's leaders to intervene and prevent those who will represent the country at the upcoming World Health Organisation Assembly in Geneva this month from signing these treaties.

First Lady lauded

The Family Watch Africa Director praised Mrs Museveni for being a staunch advocate for life, family, and the health and well-being of children and women.

On his part, Dr Wahome Ngari, the chairperson of the African Sovereignty Coalition, called on African Governments to refuse to ratify the proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations. These amendments aim to turn the World Health Organisation from an advisory organisation into a governing body. He said the International Health Regulations, adopted in 2005, are sufficient for the World Health Organisation to do its work and should be retained.

Henk Van Schothorst, the executive director of Transatlantic Christian Council International, who hails from the Netherlands, said he has always stood up against his country exporting their immoral agenda to Africa. He commended African states for respecting godly values, saying there is a lot that the Netherlands and Europe can learn from Africa.

Prince Lindaninkosi Dlamini, MP and head of the delegation from Eswatini, relayed greetings from his father King Mswati and expressed the desire for further strengthening of relations between the Kingdom of Eswatini and Uganda. He mentioned trade and business, agriculture, technology, and the military as potential areas of cooperation between the two countries.

Others in the delegation, included Ashems Songwe, MP and head of the Malawi delegation; Sonnie Ekwausi, director of the Foundation for African Heritage; Kakeeto Richard, the legal director of Family Watch Africa; Saber Amira, an MP in Egypt; Kamadi Byonabye, OIC, New York and Shabnam Palesa Mohammed from South Africa.