In recent times, one thing has come to symbolize Uganda’s President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni: the hat. Many people see him wearing it almost everywhere, during the day, at night, in political meetings, on domestic trips, and in various official duties.
For many, it had become something ordinary, but behind that hat lies a story grounded in science, family, and public health.
President Museveni himself explained the reason he started wearing a hat all the time. As he stated, it was not about fashion or culture, but rather advice he received from his son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba. According to Museveni, this advice opened his eyes to the effects that sunlight can have on people who do not have hair on their heads.
Museveni said that previously, he did not clearly know that exposure to sunlight could cause skin cancer, especially among people who spend long periods in the sun.
He said: “It was Gen. Muhoozi who told me to wear a hat. I did not know this before. He told me that science shows that a person without hair, if they are frequently exposed to the sun, has a higher risk of developing skin cancer.”
These remarks showed that even senior leaders can continue to learn and accept advice, even when it comes from their own children.
Sunlight radiation, known as Ultraviolet (UV), is one of the main causes of skin cancers worldwide. Health experts explain that this radiation can damage skin cells, leading to changes that may result in cancer. This is especially evident among people who work or travel frequently under the sun, such as farmers, soldiers, leaders, and others who spend many hours outdoors.
On the African continent, the problem is even more serious because strong sunlight is present for much of the year. Although skin cancer is not widely discussed in many African countries as it is in Europe or America, experts indicate that it may be increasing but remains underreported due to lack of awareness, limited screening, or insufficient access to healthcare services.
Museveni’s hat, on the other hand, has become more than just personal protection. It has turned into a message to the public, especially to older men and leaders, that prevention and caring for one’s health are not signs of weakness, but of wisdom and good leadership. According to doctors, wearing a hat is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to reduce the harmful effects of sunlight on the head and skin.
Other medical professionals also point out that wearing a hat helps reduce excessive heat on the head, supporting proper brain function, particularly among older people. This means that the advice Muhoozi gave his father was not only about preventing cancer, but also about overall health and the proper functioning of the body.
