Uganda’s State Minister for Investment and Privatization, Evelyn Anite, left guests laughing and cheering after making humorous but bold remarks about wealth during the grand opening of the luxurious Bamus Sarovar Portico Hotel in Kampala.
The colorful event was held along Gaddafy Road behind Ham Towers in Makerere and attracted several influential businesspeople, politicians, investors, and members of Kampala’s wealthy class. The hotel launch was organized by businessman Hajji Badru Muwanga, the proprietor of Luuka Plastics, who has now expanded into the hospitality industry.
The ceremony was emceed by Maurice Mugisha, the Deputy Managing Director of Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as UBC. While speaking during the event, Mugisha praised Hajji Badru Muwanga for continuously diversifying his investments into new business sectors.
As he applauded the businessman, Maurice Mugisha also referenced La Confidential Hotel in Arua City, a luxury hotel associated with Minister Evelyn Anite. His remarks unintentionally painted Anite as one of Uganda’s wealthy individuals, drawing excitement and laughter from guests attending the glamorous function.
Several speakers who followed continued referring to Anite as a successful and wealthy woman in government. By the time it was her turn to address the audience, many people in the room were already smiling and waiting to hear her response.
When she finally stepped onto the stage, Evelyn Anite did not deny the claims about her wealth. Instead, she embraced the conversation in her usual humorous and sarcastic style, instantly capturing the attention of everyone in attendance.
Anite jokingly told guests that it would actually be impossible for her to remain poor after spending many years working closely with some of Uganda’s richest businesspeople. Her comments immediately sent the audience into prolonged laughter.
“I’m not a poor person because for all these years, I have been in charge of rich people and in the process I became rich also. I can’t be poor,” Anite jokingly remarked as the crowd burst into laughter and applause.
She added that the success and achievements of local investors had inspired her personally over the years. According to Anite, interacting with successful entrepreneurs daily had motivated her to work harder and think bigger in life and business.
The minister specifically praised Hajji Badru Muwanga, saying she had learned a lot from him and many other Ugandan investors who continue to build businesses and create jobs for citizens across the country.
During her speech, Anite also recognized several members of Kampala’s famous “Bagagga Kwagalana” group, including businessmen Godfrey Kirumira, Tom Kitandwe, Hajji Badru Muwanga, and Henry Lubwama.
At one point, she invited some of them to join her for a group photograph, further entertaining guests who enjoyed the warm atmosphere and camaraderie displayed among the wealthy businessmen and political leaders.
Anite praised the strong unity and solidarity often shown by members of the Kampala-based investors’ group. She said their habit of supporting each other during both happy and difficult moments was something admirable and worth emulating.
The minister also used the opportunity to amplify President Yoweri Museveni’s long-standing message encouraging Ugandans to embrace entrepreneurship, investment, and wealth creation through legitimate means.
According to Anite, local investors have helped demonstrate that Ugandans can become successful and wealthy without engaging in corruption or stealing public funds. She said many businessmen have built their empires through determination, discipline, and persistence.
She further praised President Museveni for maintaining what she described as an enabling environment that has allowed local entrepreneurs and investors to grow their businesses over the years.
In another humorous moment, Anite asked guests to clap for President Museveni, saying his leadership had played a key role in supporting indigenous investors and business growth in Uganda. Her comments once again sparked laughter and applause across the room.
Observers at the event also interpreted some of Anite’s remarks as politically strategic, especially at a time when discussions about possible cabinet changes continue to dominate political conversations in Kampala.
The minister jokingly hinted that she still feels energetic, youthful, and capable of serving in even bigger government positions should the appointing authority decide to redeploy her in the future.
Her speech became one of the most talked-about moments of the evening, with many guests praising her confidence, humor, and ability to connect with both politicians and business leaders in a relaxed manner.
By the end of the event, Evelyn Anite had once again proven why she remains one of Uganda’s most outspoken and entertaining political figures, capable of turning a formal business gathering into a lively and memorable occasion full of laughter and conversation.
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