God saved Mama's life! Museveni says as he reveals wife's health scare

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has revealed that First Lady Janet Museveni suffered a serious illness earlier this year, saying her life was saved through divine intervention and the efforts of doctors.

In a message marking Janet Museveni's 78th birthday on June 24, Museveni disclosed that she faced a health challenge on March 21, 2026, but is now recovering well.

"Sitaane (Satan), three months ago, on the 21st of March, 2026, launched an attack on the life of Maama. However, Sitaane miscalculated," Museveni said.

"God, using good doctors, saved Maama's life, and she is now recovering well."

Museveni, however, did not disclose the nature of the illness but described her recovery as a blessing, thanking God for preserving her life.

He linked the date of her illness to a significant moment in Uganda's liberation struggle, noting that March 21 was the day resistance forces defeated a counter-attack by former President Idi Amin's troops at Rugaando near Mbarara in 1979.

The President paid tribute to his wife for her role in supporting their family and the country's political journey over the decades.

"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," he said.

He also praised her work through the Uganda Women's Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO), her contribution to National Resistance Movement (NRM) politics in Ntungamo and her religious activities.

In the lengthy birthday message, Museveni reflected on their relationship and described their reunion in Nairobi on Christmas Day in 1972 as a "miraculous reconnection" that changed the course of his life.

The President recalled meeting Janet outside the Inter-Continental Hotel in Nairobi after years without contact, despite both having grown up in Ntungamo and attended Kyamate School.

At the time, Museveni was living in exile and involved in efforts to overthrow Idi Amin's government.

"It is that accidental and miraculous re-connection that enabled me to have a family even when I was still in the risky life of exile and the Resistance," he said.

Museveni said the reunion eventually led to the formation of their family, which now includes four children and 15 grandchildren.

The Ugandan leader prayed for long life for both himself and his wife, expressing hope that they would live to witness the realisation 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 marginalisation," he said.

Ugandans wished the First Lady a quick recovery and sent her birthday wishes, praying for good health and prosperity.