Abu Mwesigwa, the official Senior Photographer to President Yoweri Museveni, has shared his experience capturing moments of the Head of State, describing both the pressure and privilege that comes with the role.
Mwesigwa, a professional photographer born in Kajjansi, Wakiso District in 1989, studied at Mengo Senior School before joining the Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Arts, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art, majoring in Advanced Photography.
He began his career at the New Vision as a photography intern before later working as a freelancer with the same media house. After some time, he was officially employed following a job advertisement for a photographer.
Recalling how he started working with President Museveni, Abu explains that State House first reached out through the then New Vision Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Robert Kabushenga, requesting a trusted photographer.
“That was around 2014, I was sent to State House to start taking photos of the President. I did a good job and the State House team decided to retain me,” Mwesigwa said during an interview on Kasuku Live. He adds that State House security conducts thorough background checks, including details about one’s family, residence, and personal history.
He says his early days at State House were not easy, noting that photographing the President was intimidating.
“Besides the fear that I was in State House, his security detail could sometimes block me or push me away from getting close to him as they did not know me. The security team only focuses on his safety,” he said.
He added, “I could miss out on a lot of photos.”
Mwesigwa also recalls how his friends and former schoolmates reacted after seeing him working close to the President.
“They could call to tell me why I am not asking money from the President. They were telling to use the opportunity to get rich,” he says.
He further explains that working around the President comes with strict demands and limited personal interaction.
“There are people that have worked in State House for over 10 years but have never had a conversation with the President face to face. He has a very busy schedule. He sleeps late. You can hear someone say he called me at 4am yet we have finished work at 2am.”
He says that even after years of working in State House, the environment around the President never feels casual or ordinary.
“You can never familiarise being around the President. There is always that natural tension being around him,” he says.
Mwesigwa adds that President Museveni often stands out for his wide knowledge and ability to speak confidently on different subjects.
“Museveni is very knowledgeable about everything, be it history, science etc and he talks about them with facts,” he notes.
He further describes the President as someone who acts with clear purpose and certainty in whatever he does.
“Museveni does everything with conviction,” he says.
