“The family and myself thank God for having given us Maama, kept her safe in the years of orphanhood and prospering her in the subsequent years up to today,” Museveni said.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has revealed that First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Kataaha Museveni survived what he described as a “satanic” on her life three months ago, saying she is now recovering well following treatment by doctors.
In a heartfelt message released on Wednesday to celebrate Janet Museveni’s 78th birthday, the President said the incident occurred on March 21, 2026, but that divine intervention and medical care helped save her life.
“Three months ago, on the 21st of March, 2026, Sitaane launched an attack on the life of Maama. However, Sitaane miscalculated. The 21st of March is a good day for the Resistance,” Museveni said.
He linked the date to a historic military victory during Uganda’s liberation struggle, recalling that March 21 marked the defeat of an Idi Amin counter-attack at Rugaando, about 12 miles from Mbarara, in 1979.
“God, using good doctors, saved Maama’s life and she is now recovering well,” he said.
The President used the occasion to pay tribute to his wife’s contribution to their family, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the country at large.
He particularly praised her role during the 1981–1986 liberation war, when she lived in exile and cared for their children while he was engaged in armed struggle.
“Maama has done great things in the family, especially caring for the children during the second phase of the Resistance between 1981 and 1986 when she was alone in exile and I was in the bush,” Museveni said.
He also commended her humanitarian work through the Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO), her contribution to NRM politics in Ntungamo District and her longstanding religious activities.
In the message, the President reflected on Janet Museveni’s difficult childhood, noting that she lost her father, Mzee Edward Kataaha, in 1955 and overcame years of hardship to become one of Uganda’s most influential public figures.
“The family and myself thank God for having given us Maama, kept her safe in the years of orphanhood and prospering her in the subsequent years up to today,” he said.
Museveni also revisited their reunion in Nairobi, Kenya, on Christmas Day in 1972 after years of separation caused by political turmoil. Although both hailed from Ntungamo District and had attended Kyamate School in 1958, they lost contact before unexpectedly meeting again outside the Inter-Continental Hotel.
At the time, Museveni was actively involved in resistance activities against Idi Amin’s government, operating from Tanzania with fellow fighters.
Looking ahead, the President said he was praying for both of them to live to 100 years and witness the realization of the East African Federation.
“I pray to God to get us to 100 years respectively so that we, among 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.
Janet Museveni has served as Uganda’s First Lady since 1986 and remains a prominent figure in education, family development and social transformation initiatives.
As she celebrates her 78th birthday, congratulatory messages from family members, political leaders, supporters and well-wishers have continued to pour in from across the country.
