Uganda’s Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has once again proved that politics is not for the faint-hearted and apparently neither is aerobics.
Just days after surviving the anxiety and suspense surrounding the formation of the new Cabinet, Nabbanja decided it was time to shake off the pressure.
But instead of taking a vacation, booking a spa treatment or disappearing to a quiet village retreat, the Prime Minister chose a more energetic solution: joining an aerobics session with staff from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).What followed was a scene that left many Ugandans entertained, impressed and thoroughly confused.
The exercise session took place at Nakasero Primary School playground where OPM staff gathered for their routine fitness programme. According to Nabbanja, the workouts are held twice every month as part of a government initiative to combat lifestyle diseases and promote healthy living among public servants.
CABINET STRESS MEETS CARDIO
The Prime Minister enthusiastically joined the exercises, stretching, stepping and moving along with her staff. However, it wasn’t the exercise itself that stole the show. It was the outfit.
While most people attending a workout would be expected to show up in tracksuits, leggings, sneakers or at least something vaguely associated with sports, Nabbanja arrived dressed like she was heading to a Cabinet meeting. The Prime Minister took part in the drills wearing a blue skirt and matching blouse. Within minutes, social media exploded.Videos and photos of Uganda’s head of government exercising in official attire spread across the internet faster than a fitness instructor shouting “one more round!”
THE SKIRT THAT BROKE THE INTERNET
Some viewers couldn’t stop laughing. Others admired her confidence. A few wondered whether she had forgotten there was an aerobics session scheduled. And many simply wanted answers.
One social media user, identified as Edna, summed up the mood of countless Ugandans.
“Nfaaaa why is she like this? I’m crying while laughing,” she posted. Another user, Amilya Karienah, appeared equally shocked.“Naye mama mu skirtiiiii,”she wrote, unable to hide her disbelief.
Shum was even more direct. “Ma’am, you left home knowing you’re going to workout and chose that outfit?” The question quickly became one of the hottest debates online.
Was the Prime Minister making a fashion statement? Had she come directly from official duties? Or was she simply proving that government work never stops—even during aerobics?
EXERCISE IS THERAPY, SAYS PM
Despite the jokes, Nabbanja appeared completely unbothered. After the exercise session, she explained that the programme follows a Cabinet directive requiring Ministries, Departments and Agencies to organise physical exercise activities for staff.
“This physical exercise programme follows a Cabinet directive requiring Ministries, Departments and Agencies to conduct physical exercise sessions for their staff to combat lifestyle diseases,” she said.
The Prime Minister praised OPM workers for embracing the initiative and encouraged them to continue participating. “Exercise is therapy and only healthy people can do the work effectively,” she added. Her message was serious. The internet’s response was not.
‘COMEDY SKIT OR WORKOUT?’
NDIKU joked that observers could easily mistake the session for a comedy performance. “Someone might actually wonder if you are doing exercises or just a comedy skit,” he wrote. Joseph Okurut supported the initiative but had a gentle suggestion. “It’s a good idea but next time dress in sporting attire.” Emma Bosa also focused on the wardrobe choice. “Maama minister, the outfit was improper. Please work on it next time.”
Others however defended the Prime Minister and praised her willingness to mingle with ordinary workers. Proud Westerner applauded her connection with staff. “I love the way you relate with common people. Thank you Mama PM.” Chibasumba argued that such actions help leaders win loyalty from their teams.
“This is how you win the hearts of your subordinates. This is how you effortlessly get them to submit to you by being a down-to-earth leader.”
DOCTORS PRESCRIBE MORE SWEAT
Even those who criticised the clothing admitted that seeing a senior government official sweating alongside staff was refreshing.
Meanwhile, health professionals saw an opportunity to turn the viral moment into a public health lesson.
Kisubi Hospital commended the initiative but suggested that exercising twice a month may not be enough to significantly reduce lifestyle disease risks.
Physiotherapist Dr. Robert Edoch recommended weekly exercise sessions lasting around 45 minutes.
He suggested combining aerobic exercises with strength training and stretching for better results. Fitness enthusiasts generally agreed.
One commenter humorously noted that “twice a month isn’t a month” and proposed increasing the frequency. Another social media user even volunteered to buy Nabbanja a training suit.
“I’m offering to buy you a training suit out of humility because I know you can afford many,” he joked.
FROM FITNESS TO FINANCES
Not everyone was focused on health and fashion. As is often the case in Uganda, some commenters quickly shifted attention to money. Several questioned how much public money was being spent on the exercise programme. Others speculated about budgets, refreshments and logistics. One sceptic claimed the activity could be consuming more money than some public services.
Whether serious or sarcastic, the comments reflected the uniquely Ugandan ability to turn any topic—from aerobics to national budgeting—into a lively debate.
LAST LAUGH BELONGS TO NABBANJA
But perhUganda’s Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has once again proved that politics is not for the faint-hearted and apparently neither is aerobics.
Just days after surviving the anxiety and suspense surrounding the formation of the new Cabinet, Nabbanja decided it was time to shake off the pressure.
But instead of taking a vacation, booking a spa treatment or disappearing to a quiet village retreat, the Prime Minister chose a more energetic solution: joining an aerobics session with staff from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).
What followed was a scene that left many Ugandans entertained, impressed and thoroughly confused.
The exercise session took place at Nakasero Primary School playground where OPM staff gathered for their routine fitness programme. According to Nabbanja, the workouts are held twice every month as part of a government initiative to combat lifestyle diseases and promote healthy living among public servants.
CABINET STRESS MEETS CARDIO
The Prime Minister enthusiastically joined the exercises, stretching, stepping and moving along with her staff. However, it wasn’t the exercise itself that stole the show. It was the outfit.
While most people attending a workout would be expected to show up in tracksuits, leggings, sneakers or at least something vaguely associated with sports, Nabbanja arrived dressed like she was heading to a Cabinet meeting. The Prime Minister took part in the drills wearing a blue skirt and matching blouse. Within minutes, social media exploded.
Videos and photos of Uganda’s head of government exercising in official attire spread across the internet faster than a fitness instructor shouting “one more round!”
THE SKIRT THAT BROKE THE INTERNET
Some viewers couldn’t stop laughing. Others admired her confidence. A few wondered whether she had forgotten there was an aerobics session scheduled. And many simply wanted answers.
One social media user, identified as Edna, summed up the mood of countless Ugandans.
“Nfaaaa why is she like this? I’m crying while laughing,” she posted. Another user, Amilya Karienah, appeared equally shocked.“Naye mama mu skirtiiiii,”she wrote, unable to hide her disbelief.
Shum was even more direct. “Ma’am, you left home knowing you’re going to workout and chose that outfit?” The question quickly became one of the hottest debates online.
Was the Prime Minister making a fashion statement? Had she come directly from official duties? Or was she simply proving that government work never stops—even during aerobics?
EXERCISE IS THERAPY, SAYS PM
Despite the jokes, Nabbanja appeared completely unbothered. After the exercise session, she explained that the programme follows a Cabinet directive requiring Ministries, Departments and Agencies to organise physical exercise activities for staff.
“This physical exercise programme follows a Cabinet directive requiring Ministries, Departments and Agencies to conduct physical exercise sessions for their staff to combat lifestyle diseases,” she said.
The Prime Minister praised OPM workers for embracing the initiative and encouraged them to continue participating. “Exercise is therapy and only healthy people can do the work effectively,” she added. Her message was serious. The internet’s response was not.
‘COMEDY SKIT OR WORKOUT?’
NDIKU joked that observers could easily mistake the session for a comedy performance. “Someone might actually wonder if you are doing exercises or just a comedy skit,” he wrote. Joseph Okurut supported the initiative but had a gentle suggestion. “It’s a good idea but next time dress in sporting attire.” Emma Bosa also focused on the wardrobe choice. “Maama minister, the outfit was improper. Please work on it next time.”
Others however defended the Prime Minister and praised her willingness to mingle with ordinary workers. Proud Westerner applauded her connection with staff. “I love the way you relate with common people. Thank you Mama PM.” Chibasumba argued that such actions help leaders win loyalty from their teams.
“This is how you win the hearts of your subordinates. This is how you effortlessly get them to submit to you by being a down-to-earth leader.”
DOCTORS PRESCRIBE MORE SWEAT
Even those who criticised the clothing admitted that seeing a senior government official sweating alongside staff was refreshing.
Meanwhile, health professionals saw an opportunity to turn the viral moment into a public health lesson.
Kisubi Hospital commended the initiative but suggested that exercising twice a month may not be enough to significantly reduce lifestyle disease risks.
Physiotherapist Dr. Robert Edoch recommended weekly exercise sessions lasting around 45 minutes.
He suggested combining aerobic exercises with strength training and stretching for better results. Fitness enthusiasts generally agreed.
One commenter humorously noted that “twice a month isn’t a month” and proposed increasing the frequency. Another social media user even volunteered to buy Nabbanja a training suit.
“I’m offering to buy you a training suit out of humility because I know you can afford many,” he joked.
FROM FITNESS TO FINANCES
Not everyone was focused on health and fashion. As is often the case in Uganda, some commenters quickly shifted attention to money. Several questioned how much public money was being spent on the exercise programme. Others speculated about budgets, refreshments and logistics. One sceptic claimed the activity could be consuming more money than some public services.
Whether serious or sarcastic, the comments reflected the uniquely Ugandan ability to turn any topic—from aerobics to national budgeting—into a lively debate.
LAST LAUGH BELONGS TO NABBANJA
But perhaps the biggest winner from the entire episode was Nabbanja herself. For a politician who has faced intense public scrutiny, criticism and pressure, the aerobics session offered a rare moment of light-hearted publicity.
Instead of discussions about Cabinet appointments, government policy or parliamentary battles, Ugandans spent a day debating skirts, sneakers and stretching exercises. And judging by the laughter online, many seemed grateful for the break.
One thing is certain. The Prime Minister may not have won any awards for sports fashion. She may not be replacing Uganda’s top fitness influencers anytime soon. And she may have accidentally created one of the funniest political images of the year. But she succeeded in getting people talking about exercise.
In a country where many office workers spend long hours seated behind desks, perhaps that was the real victory. Still, if the next aerobics session arrives and Nabbanja turns up wearing a tracksuit, nobody will be surprised. If she turns up in another skirt?
Ugandans will definitely be watching. And laughing. Probably while doing their own exercises.aps the biggest winner from the entire episode was Nabbanja herself. For a politician who has faced intense public scrutiny, criticism and pressure, the aerobics session offered a rare moment of light-hearted publicity.
Instead of discussions about Cabinet appointments, government policy or parliamentary battles, Ugandans spent a day debating skirts, sneakers and stretching exercises. And judging by the laughter online, many seemed grateful for the break.
One thing is certain. The Prime Minister may not have won any awards for sports fashion. She may not be replacing Uganda’s top fitness influencers anytime soon. And she may have accidentally created one of the funniest political images of the year. But she succeeded in getting people talking about exercise.
In a country where many office workers spend long hours seated behind desks, perhaps that was the real victory. Still, if the next aerobics session arrives and Nabbanja turns up wearing a tracksuit, nobody will be surprised. If she turns up in another skirt?
Ugandans will definitely be watching. And laughing. Probably while doing their own exercises.
Author Profile
- Charles Gazza Kodili is a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication. He’s currently the Chief Editor at the Investigator.
Charles can also be reached via; Tel: +256 774 108978
Email: [email protected]
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