KAMPALA: President Yoweri Museveni has revealed that First Lady Janet Museveni survived a serious health attack three months ago, saying God and medical professionals saved her life and that she is now recovering well.
In a heartfelt birthday tribute marking Mrs Museveni’s 78th birthday on Wednesday, the President disclosed for the first time that the First Lady suffered a health scare on March 21, 2026.
“Sitaane, three months ago, on the 21st of March 2026, launched an attack on the life of Maama. However, Sitaane miscalculated,” Mr Museveni said in the statement signed from his country home.
He added: “God, using good doctors, saved Maama’s life and she is now recovering well.”
The President did not provide details about the nature of the illness but expressed gratitude to God for preserving the life of his wife, whom he described as a pillar of their family and the country’s development.
Mr Museveni said the date of March 21 holds special significance in the history of Uganda’s liberation struggle, noting that it marked the defeat of an Idi Amin counter-attack at Rugaando near Mbarara in 1979.
The President used the occasion to reflect on his long relationship with the First Lady, recounting their “miraculous re-connection” on Christmas Day in 1972 outside Nairobi’s Inter-Continental Hotel after years without contact due to Uganda’s political turmoil.
He said the reunion enabled them to start a family despite the uncertainties of exile and the liberation struggle.
“It is that miraculous re-connection that gave me a family of four great children and fifteen grandchildren and I am now threatening to have great-grandchildren,” he wrote.
The President also praised Mrs Museveni for her role in raising their children during the bush war years, when she lived in exile while he fought in the National Resistance Army.
He further commended her philanthropic work through the Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO), her contribution to NRM politics in Ntungamo and her religious ministry.
“As a family, we thank God for having given us Maama and for keeping her safe through the years up to today,” Mr Museveni said.
He concluded by praying that both of them live to celebrate their 100th birthdays and witness the realization of the East African Federation, which he described as Africa’s insurance against future domination and marginalisation.
