INTERVIEW: I never planned to join politics, I only wanted to be famous—former Minister Evelyn Anite says politics brought her many enemies but also achievements beyond her expectations

Share on Twitter Former State Minister for Finance in charge of Investment and Privatisation Evelyn Anite says she remains committed to President Yoweri Museveni despite being dropped from Cabinet, insisting that her admiration for him dates back to her childhood.

In an interview on the YouTube programme Dialogue With Emukule, Anite said she developed an admiration for Museveni in 1996 because her family supported him. She said her loyalty to the President would not change even if he distanced himself from her.

“I once told him I will be the last to walk away from you even if you walked away from me,” Anite said, explaining that she believes Museveni is the leader Uganda deserves.

Despite her long involvement in politics, Anite said joining the political arena was never part of her original ambitions. Instead, she wanted to become famous, but her eventual political career brought both unexpected achievements and personal challenges.

Anite said she faced threats to her life during her time in active politics, including warnings from people who threatened to burn down her house and hotel. She added that she was repeatedly placed on death lists, making politics a difficult experience despite the opportunities it provided.

“Politics made me so many enemies,” she said, reflecting on the personal cost of her career.

However, Anite said her political journey also opened doors she had never imagined. She credited Museveni with supporting her education, saying she returned to school and eventually earned a master’s degree in business at Harvard University in the United States.

She said Museveni paid her tuition fees, describing the opportunity as one of the significant benefits she gained through her association with the President.

Anite also said serving as a minister gave her valuable business experience. Through her official duties, she interacted with numerous businesspeople and learnt lessons that she now applies to her private ventures.

“I used my position as minister to learn how to do business as I engaged with very many business people,” she said.

Anite, who is now concentrating on her businesses, said she has no immediate plans to return to politics. She said leaving public office has given her more time to focus on her personal life and commercial interests.

“I am enjoying my life out of politics. I no longer stress like I used to,” she said.

Her remarks offer a glimpse into how she views her political career, acknowledging the threats and enemies she says she encountered while also highlighting the education, business experience and other opportunities she gained along the way.

Although she is no longer serving in Cabinet, Anite said her admiration for Museveni remains unchanged, underlining the personal loyalty she has maintained towards the President since her early years.

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