For over 50 years, two women have held significant influence in Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni’s life. On one hand is his wife, Janet Museveni, the steady and loyal First Lady.
On the other, Winnie Byanyima, the fiery revolutionary who once stood by his side in war but chose to walk away. Their stories intertwine with power, love, betrayal, and political ambition, shaping Uganda’s history in many ways.
Janet Museveni has stood by her husband, the president, since their wedding at Turnham Green Church, England, on August 24, 1973.
Even as he fought in the bush and later rose to power, she stayed with him, eventually becoming Uganda’s First Lady and later Minister of Education.
In 2023, they renewed their vows, marking 50 years of a marriage that has withstood war, exile, and leadership.
But before Janet became Uganda’s matriarch, another woman shared a deep connection with Museveni, Winnie Byanyima.
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Winnie Byanyima and Her Story With Museveni
Winnie Byanyima is a Ugandan aeronautical engineer, politician, human rights activist, feminist and diplomat who is the executive director of UNAIDS.
Raised in a politically charged home, Winnie fought alongside Museveni in the bush, believing in his vision for Uganda.
Yet, as her father, Mzee Boniface Byanyima, had warned, she soon discovered that Museveni was not the man she thought he was. Their fallout was not just personal but political, marking the beginning of an opposition that continues to date.
Unlike Janet, the daughter of Mzee Boniface Byanyima, a respected statesman, Winnie was drawn into Uganda’s liberation struggle early on.
After witnessing the violence of Idi Amin’s regime, she fled to Europe, studying engineering at Manchester University. However, her path soon crossed with Museveni’s as she joined his guerrilla movement.
Byanyima played a crucial role in the National Resistance Army (NRA) and later held a position in Museveni’s government.
However, her father had always warned her about Museveni’s character, advising her not to trust him or his leadership. Their relationship took an even more personal turn when Museveni proposed marriage, despite already being married to Janet.
Mzee Byanyima opposed the union, and Winnie herself eventually walked away from both Museveni and his government.
“Museveni came here proposing marriage. He wanted to marry her, which I opposed. I told my daughter Museveni was not a reliable character. I think it was in 1987. By then he was married to Janet. I knew that.
“First, there came his father [Amos] Kaguta to propose. I said no. Then Museveni came here when he was president. I said I can’t agree. I said if you are marrying her if she wants, it will be her responsibility. Me I don’t want that.
“They stayed together for a while. When people are staying together, you can’t know for how long [but] they were staying together at Entebbe,” Mzee Byanyima narrated in a past interview with Uganda’s The Observer.
Since then, Winnie has forged an independent political path, becoming an advocate for democracy, human rights, and gender equality. She ended up marrying Dr Kizza Besigye, a prominent Ugandan opposition leader.
She has served in key global positions, including as Executive Director of Oxfam International and currently as the Executive Director of UNAIDS, all while maintaining her stance as a strong critic of Museveni’s rule.
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The Loyal Partner Janet Kataha Museveni
Known for her calm and composed demeanor, she has often been portrayed as the moral anchor of Museveni’s administration.
Her influence extends beyond the presidency, making her one of the most powerful women in Ugandan politics.
Speaking during their 50th marriage anniversary, Janet Museveni hinted that one of the things that helped her in their marriage was leaving her husband to his own devices.
She revealed this as she advised young couples on how to navigate the marriage waters.
“And so I realized that it’s a blessing to have your spouse and give him peace. Just let him be. Whatever he wants to do, just let him do because it is nothing.
“And now I know, and really, he knows, I don’t follow him picking up things and saying small things. Ladies, just let your husbands be and remember the Bible tells us we should not go to bed angry.
“Even if you misunderstand each other at any one point during the day, just make sure you don’t go to bed angry. You apologize to your spouse, you go to bed happy and you get up happy,” said Janet.
Janet and Winnie, though deeply connected to Museveni, represent contrasting narratives in Uganda’s political landscape. Although Janet is pillar of his presidency, Winnie has become a voice of opposition.
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