The out spoken girl child and Women’s rights activist accepted the award, accompanied by her husband Mr Nekemia Matembe, their four sons and grand children.
Holding the microphone to utter her remarks, Dr Miria begun by appreciating God, after which she made a one by one introduction of her family to the audience amid jokes and laughter.
“I stand here with Joy for what the lord has done. when you are busy serving God some where, when you least expect it, he shows up. I want to praise the Lord so much,” she remarked.
Dr Miria further appreciated the HIT Academy for recognizing her efforts.
She on the other hand expressed her discontentment towards the committee charged with nominating awardees for what she referred to as “Museveni’s medals”, urging that she has enormously contributed towards the fight against gender inequality and addressed issues hampering the advancement of girl child education.
“I was afraid in the first case to leave the political office. I thought that by so doing, I would disappear into oblivion…It is not until I left that I got to understand why those people in parliament don’t want to leave power….Positions and possessions do not give us life, we should use these positions and possessions to serve God’s people,” Dr Miria Matembe stated in part.
Businge Amooti, the Chancellor/Secretary of the Presidential Awards committee recently told the Observer that, although assented to by the president, his committee is charged with nominating awardees, purchase and custody of insignia and organization of awarding ceremonies.
Pr Joshua Mugabi of Watoto Church presented the HIT Family Ministry Honorary Award to Mr Stephen Langa of Family Life Network. Mr Amos Masaba Wekesa, CEO of Great Lakes Safaris was handed the HIT Professional Honorary Award 2016.
ICEA group’s Jackson Muli handed Ms Catherine Ruhweza of Mama Tendo Foundation the HIT Philanthropy Hononary Award 2016. The HIT Business Honorary Award 2016 was given to Mr James Kiwanuka, the CEO of Capital Out door advertising.
