Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has shared an account of how a chance reunion in Nairobi rekindled his relationship with First Lady Janet Museveni as he celebrated her 78th birthday.
In a message posted on June 24, Museveni thanked God for Janet’s life and reflected on her journey from childhood to her role as Uganda’s First Lady.
“Today, the 24th of June is Maama’s birthday, having arrived on Earth on this very day 78 years ago,” Museveni wrote, expressing gratitude for God’s protection over her life, particularly after she lost her father, Mzee Edward Kataaha, in 1955.
Museveni Reveals How He Met First Lady Janet Again in Nairobi
The Ugandan leader recalled that he and Janet had known each other years before their reunion. Both hailed from Ntungamo and studied at Kyamate School together in 1958. However, Uganda’s turbulent political history caused them to lose contact.
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At the time, Museveni was involved in efforts to overthrow the regime of Idi Amin. He revealed that since January 1971, he had been operating from Tanzania as part of the anti-Amin struggle.
Museveni also reflected on the failed September 17, 1972 attack on Mbarara, describing it as a disastrous battle in which many fighters were lost.
“I had, indeed, been involved in the disastrous battle of the 17th of September, 1972 in Mbarara where 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, including an Obote fighter known as Ageta, a good but chaotic fighter,” he stated.
Amid those difficult circumstances, Museveni said fate intervened three months later when he unexpectedly crossed paths with Janet in Nairobi.
“In particular, I thank God for the miraculous re-connection with her on Christmas Day, 1972, outside the Inter-Continental Hotel in Nairobi,” Museveni wrote.
Museveni Reflects on Janet’s Recovery and Contributions
In a separate message, the president disclosed that Janet had recently recovered from a serious health scare in March. He said she survived the ordeal through God’s intervention and the efforts of medical professionals, adding that she is now recovering well.
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The Ugandan leader linked the date of the incident, March 21, to a significant moment in Uganda’s liberation struggle, noting that it marked the day resistance forces defeated an Idi Amin counter-attack at Rugaando near Mbarara in 1979.
Museveni also reflected on Janet’s role in supporting their family during Uganda’s liberation struggle.
He credited her with raising their children during the 1981–1986 bush war period, when he was fighting with resistance forces, and she was living in exile.
Museveni praised Janet’s humanitarian work through the Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO), her contributions to the National Resistance Movement in Ntungamo, and her religious service.
The president expressed hope that both would live to celebrate their 100th birthdays and witness the realization of the East African Federation, which he described as an important safeguard for Africa’s future.
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