Ester Ninshaba — Every year on February 22, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrates its Founding Day. I join in these celebrations; to honour a nation whose story continues to inspire, provoke thought, and challenge the world to dream bigger. Not only as a writer, but also as someone who has walked the streets of Riyadh, listened to the voices of resilience, and returned home deeply moved.
In December 2024, by the grace of God, and with the support of the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs of the Republic of Uganda, I had the privilege of attending the Sixteenth Conference of the Parties (COP 16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
It was more than a conference. It was a revelation; hosted by a nation that knows the meaning of resilience not just in theory, but in practice. Though my stay was brief, the awakening it stirred within me was profound and enduring.
On the second day of the conference, which was the People's Day; through various speakers and panellists, we explored the urgent need to develop strategies that strengthen resilience and establish social safeguards for families, communities and institutions in the global fight against the effects of climate change and land degradation.
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In parallel, I witnessed that, for the people of Saudi Arabia, resilience isn't a strategy, it's a way of life. I saw a place where tradition and innovation walk hand in hand, and where the future is not just imagined, but actively built.
Resilience in the Face of Scarcity
I remember wondering, how do these people survive? The food at the COP was expensive and scarce by Ugandan standards. Yet, here was a nation thriving in the desert, pushing boundaries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and beyond, leading global conversations on climate change, hosting world events like the World Defence Show 2026, Expo 2030 Riyadh, the Fifa World Cup 2034 among others.
I thought to myself, Saudi Arabia doesn't just adapt, it leads. And that challenged me. It challenged me to think harder, smarter, and to redefine what's possible.
The City of Cars Without People
Riyadh surprised me. Its roads are vast, its cleanliness striking, and its cars everywhere. I called it "the city of cars without people." I had imagined bustling sidewalks filled with people heading to work or business, yet each day, as we journeyed between the COP venue and our residence, I saw only a moving sea of cars.
I kept asking, where are the people? And then, downtown, I found them. I turned to my friend and said, "I've finally seen people!"
A City of Ambition
Beneath that quiet exterior, Riyadh pulses with ambition. It's a city driven by commitment, vision, and movement; just not always visible on foot, but unmistakably felt. I call Riyadh a "city of great ambition and commitment."
However, I did not enjoy the cold wind that froze us from inside out. Majority of us thought we were going to the desert (sunny and hot), we packed light clothes only to be welcomed by sharp-cold blowing winds that froze us to our lungs and etched thorns into our skin. On the second day, almost everyone was wearing layers.
Divine Encounters in Unimagined Places
It was the evening of the fourth day of the conference and I found myself seated in the outdoor seating area of the venue; quiet, exhausted, and slightly overwhelmed. I must have been waiting for the shuttle back to my residence.
Then out of nowhere, a presence came upon me. It pressed firmly on my shoulders and upper back; powerful, yet not harsh.
In a voice both gentle and clear, it asked, "Ester, what is your resilience strategy in the face of expected or unexpected life changes"? I knew it was God speaking.
In that moment, He laid my life bare before me, revealing hidden rooms of vulnerability and growth. I was shaken and troubled for days. From that encounter, from the lessons I gathered at the COP, and from witnessing the quiet strength of the people of Riyadh, something in me shifted. Something deep. Something lasting.
The experience challenged my assumptions. It inspired me to look beyond comfort and convenience, and to appreciate the power of purpose. It reminded me that leadership isn't about abundance, it's about intention. And that even in scarcity, greatness can be cultivated.
Perhaps this is an invitation for each of us to pause and look inward. Whether in our personal lives, our work, our families, or the institutions we serve, there may be hidden rooms of vulnerability and untapped potential.
By acknowledging them with humility and courage, we can begin to prepare proactively and progressively for the unfolding journey ahead that life may bring.
Refusing to Stand Still
In light of the above, whether we are commemorating the unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932 under King Abdulaziz Al Saud, or Founding Day, honouring the establishment of the First Saudi State in 1727 by Imam Muhammad bin Saud, we are celebrating a legacy of courage, vision, and transformation.
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We honour a nation that has turned its challenges into strengths, its deserts into platforms for global dialogue, and a nation that refuses to stand still.
Uganda and Saudi Arabia: Advancing Together in Shared Progress
This is to express my gratitude to the Government of Uganda, the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for creating such enabling platforms to explore, learn and potentially grow. A reminder that honouring one's roots while reaching for the stars, strategic thinking, bold leadership, and collective effort can turn dreams into reality.
A Toast to Resilience and Possibility
My tribute is not only to a nation, but to the spirit that breathes life in its story. A spirit that dares to dream, that works tirelessly, and that welcomes the world with open arms.
To the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, thank you for the challenge. Thank you for the inspiration. May your journey continue to uplift, provoke thought, unite and lead with courage.
