President Yoweri Museveni has paid an emotional tribute to First Lady and Minister of Education Janet Kataaha Museveni as she marked her 78th birthday, revealing for the first time that she recently survived what he described as a serious health scare after “Sitaane” (the devil) allegedly attacked her life.
In a heartfelt birthday message shared on Tuesday, Museveni combined personal reflections, historical memories, religious testimony and political aspirations as he celebrated the woman he has been married to for more than five decades.
The President expressed gratitude to God for preserving Janet’s life from childhood through adulthood, recalling her difficult upbringing after losing her father, Mzee Edward Kataaha, in 1955.
“Today, the 24th of June is Maama’s birthday having arrived on Earth on this very day 78 years ago,” Museveni wrote. “The family and myself thank God for having given us Maama, kept her safe in the years of orphanhood having lost her Father, Mzee Edward Kataaha, in 1955 and prospering her in the subsequent years up to today.”
CHRISTMAS REUNION
Museveni also revisited one of the defining moments in their relationship, revealing how they reunited after years apart during Uganda’s turbulent political history.
He described their chance meeting outside Nairobi’s Inter-Continental Hotel on Christmas Day in 1972 as nothing short of miraculous.”In particular, I thank God for the miraculous re-connection with her on Christmas day, 1972, outside the Inter-Continental Hotel in Nairobi,” he said.
The President explained that although they both hailed from Ntungamo District and had studied together at Kyamate School in 1958, political instability had separated them.He noted that by then, he and fellow fighters had been operating from Tanzania after the January 1971 military coup that brought Idi Amin to power.
Museveni also reflected on the failed September 17, 1972 attack against Amin’s government in Mbarara, describing it as one of the darkest moments of the liberation struggle.”Out of 330 people that attacked on that axis, on account of not being trained, by evening I had managed to take back only 46,” he recalled.
REVEALS JANET’S ILLNESS
Perhaps the most striking revelation in Museveni’s birthday tribute was his disclosure that the First Lady had battled a serious illness just three months ago.
Without specifying the exact medical condition, Museveni described the illness as a spiritual attack while crediting God and medical professionals for saving her life.”Sitaane, three months ago, on the 21st of March, 2026, launched an attack on the life of Maama,” Museveni wrote.”However, Sitaane miscalculated. The 21st of March is a good day for the Resistance. That is when we defeated the counter-attack of Idi Amin at Rugaando in 1979. God, using good doctors, saved Maama’s life and she is now recovering well.”
The revelation is the first public acknowledgement that the First Lady has recently experienced a major health challenge.Museveni’s statement suggests Janet Museveni is now on the road to recovery after receiving medical treatment.
PRAISES HER ROLE
The President went on to praise his wife for her contribution to the family, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), charity work and religious ministry.
He singled out the period between 1981 and 1986 during the bush war, saying Janet shouldered the burden of raising their children while living in exile as he commanded the National Resistance Army.”Maama has done great things in the family, especially caring for the children during the second phase of the Resistance between 1981 to 1986 when she was alone in exile and I was in the bush,” he wrote.
Museveni also applauded her philanthropic work through the Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO), an organisation she founded to support vulnerable children.
He further credited her for strengthening NRM politics in Ntungamo while simultaneously advancing religious and spiritual programmes.
PRAYER FOR LONG LIFE
Looking ahead, Museveni prayed that both he and Janet would live to celebrate their centenary birthdays.He said he hopes they will live long enough to witness the formation of the East African Federation, a political project he has championed for decades.
“I pray to God to get us to 100 years respectively so that we, among the other good things, see the birth of the East African Federation which is the insurance of Africa against any future domination or marginalization,” he said.
MESSAGES OF SUPPORT
Museveni’s emotional tribute attracted hundreds of congratulatory messages from supporters, government officials and NRM sympathisers, many of whom focused on the First Lady’s recovery.
UPDF acting spokesperson Chris Magezi thanked God for preserving Janet Museveni’s life. “Your Excellency, we thank God for preserving Maama’s life and pray for her speedy and complete recovery. We also wish her a very happy 78th birthday. Her fear of the Lord, kindness and generosity, and selfless service to country is a great inspiration to us all,” Magezi posted.
NRM supporter Keza Don also expressed confidence that divine protection would continue to shield the First Family.”No weapon formed against your family shall ever prosper,” he wrote while wishing both President Museveni and the First Lady God’s protection.
Another supporter, Kemigisha Zoey, interpreted the President’s statement through a biblical lens.”The Devil comes like a thief to steal and destroy but when he finds you grounded in the Lord, his mischievous ways can never see daylight. We thank God for protecting Maama from this attack. We wish her a speedy recovery and Happy Birthday to her.”
Joellah Anshemeza similarly offered prayers for Janet Museveni’s continued recovery.”We thank God for her life and we continue to pray for Maama Giingi’s steady and full recovery.”
Uganda’s Ambassador Rosa Malango praised the First Family’s commitment to faith and Pan-African ideals.”God bless you our father President Museveni and our Maama Janet Museveni for leading our nation through prayer and Pan African values. May the good Lord keep you both in His Grace,” she wrote.
Godfrey Onyango Okech prayed for even longer lives for the President and First Lady.”I am glad Mzee M7 is praying for a 100-plus year life as I also pray for 125-plus years of life on earth.” Ambassador Rebecca Amuge Otengo wished the First Lady continued blessings.
“Happy Birthday Our Cherished Mama, May the Lord’s Grace and Favour Rest Upon you.”
Political commentator Matata R. Tariq described Museveni’s birthday message as a touching reflection on Janet Museveni’s journey.”What a touching reflection on the journey of Maama Janet Museveni. May this special day be filled with love, gratitude, and countless blessings.”
As birthday wishes continued pouring in throughout the day, Museveni’s tribute not only celebrated his wife’s 78 years of life but also revealed a deeply personal chapter that had remained private until now — her recent battle with illness and what the President described as a miraculous recovery through faith and medical intervention.
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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