President Yoweri Museveni has marked the 78th birthday of First Lady Janet Museveni with a deeply personal message, blending family reflections with historical accounts of the country’s turbulent past and his political journey.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, June 24, Museveni described the First Lady—whom he referred to as “Maama”—as a central figure in both his personal life and Uganda’s broader political history.
He credited divine intervention for their reunion in 1972, a moment he said shaped the course of his family life during years of exile and armed resistance.
Museveni recounted that their reconnection occurred by chance outside Nairobi’s Inter-Continental Hotel on Christmas Day in 1972. At the time, he was operating from Tanzania, involved in efforts to overthrow former Ugandan leader Idi Amin.
Despite having known each other earlier in Ntungamo and attending Kyamate School together, the two had lost contact due to the country’s instability.
The president linked the reunion to a period of intense political and military activity, including a failed attack in Mbarara in September 1972.
He noted that the mission suffered heavy losses due to inadequate training, with only a small number of fighters returning. He described the reunion with Janet as a “miraculous” turning point amid those challengm.
According to Museveni, the encounter laid the foundation for their family, which now includes four children and fifteen grandchildren.
He further revealed that the First Lady recently survived a serious health scare in March 2026, which he attributed to an “attack” that was ultimately overcome with medical interventionmt.
The president stated that her recovery was ongoing and praised the role of doctors in saving her life. He also connected the date of the incident to a historical military victory against Idi Amin’s forces in 1979, suggesting symbolic significance.
Beyond family matters, Museveni highlighted Janet Museveni’s contributions to Uganda’s social and political spheres.
He cited her involvement in philanthropic work through the Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO), as well as her role in National Resistance Movement (NRM) politics and religious activities.
He particularly acknowledged her role during the guerrilla war between 1981 and 1986, noting that she managed family responsibilities while he was engaged in armed struggle.
He described her as instrumental in raising their children during that period.
In closing, Museveni expressed hope that both he and the First Lady would live to 100 years, linking their longevity to broader aspirations for the region.
He reiterated his long-standing support for the East African Federation, describing it as a strategic safeguard against future marginalization of African states.