MISQUOTED! Minister Babalanda Reveals Real Date of Birth, Cites Distortion in Her Biography

 

The Minister for the Presidency and Budiope West Member of Parliament, Milly Babirye Babalanda has revealed that the dates quoted on her Wikipedia public profile are actually not right.

According to Wikipedia and numerous publications that have published the politician’s profile, Babalanda is reported to have been born on 5th December 1970 which she now claims was misquoted.

According to her, she was born on December 25th, 1970, as the Christian world celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ, the most significant event in the Christian faith.

“I was misquoted on the dates of my birth. I actually share a birthday with Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, that’s what everyone now quotes and it bothers me,” Babalanda recently shared with Watchdog Uganda.

Beyond the correction of her birth date, Milly Babirye Babalanda’s rise remains one of the most striking stories in Uganda’s political landscape. Born in Nalinaibi Village in Kamuli District, she grew up far from the centres of privilege and power. Her early education was modest, and after failing her Senior Four exams in 1989, she faced a moment that could have ended her ambitions. Instead, she redirected her energy into grassroots mobilisation, stepping into local politics with a quiet determination that would later define her leadership style.

In the early 2000s, she became a familiar figure across Busoga, organising communities and building networks that earned her a reputation as a disciplined and reliable mobiliser. Her work eventually caught the attention of senior leaders, including Rebecca Kadaga, through whom she was introduced to President Museveni. Her proposal on empowering rural women impressed the President and marked the beginning of her rise into national politics.

Her formal entry into government came in 2014 when she was appointed Deputy Resident District Commissioner for Busia. She approached the role with seriousness and precision, earning a promotion into the NRM National Chairman’s Office (ONC). Initially serving under Molly Kamukama, she later became Head of the ONC, placing her at the centre of the President’s political mobilisation machinery. Her influence during the 2016 and 2021 elections was significant, as she strengthened grassroots networks and ensured disciplined coordination across districts.

In June 2021, President Museveni appointed her Minister for the Presidency, a sensitive docket overseeing RDCs, State House coordination, patriotism programmes, and manifesto monitoring. She restructured the RDC Secretariat, enforced discipline, and improved communication between State House and district leadership. Her reforms reshaped the way government presence is felt at local level, earning her recognition as one of the most impactful Ministers for the Presidency in recent years.

Her influence expanded further when she received a UNAIDS award in 2023 for her contribution to Uganda’s fight against HIV/AIDS. By 2026, she had become the first Minister for the Presidency to serve more than one term, after being reappointed for the 2026–2031 period. She later won the parliamentary seat for Budiope West, adding legislative authority to her already formidable administrative role.

Despite her national stature, Babalanda remains grounded in faith and family. A devoted Seventh‑day Adventist, she is known for her humility, discipline, and deep sense of calling. Her correction of her birth date reflects her insistence on accuracy and truth — qualities that have shaped her remarkable journey from rural mobilisation to national influence.

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