President Museveni has revealed that First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni recently survived a serious health crisis, disclosing for the first time that she endured a life-threatening illness earlier this year.
In a heartfelt birthday message posted on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Museveni said the First Lady—whom he affectionately calls Maama—fell critically ill on March 21, 2026, but has since made a strong recovery.
He described the episode as a “severe health crisis,” crediting both divine intervention and medical professionals for her survival.
“Sitaane, three months ago, on the 21st of March, 2026, launched an attack on the life of Maama. However, Sitaane miscalculated,” Museveni said.
He added that “God, using good doctors, saved Maama’s life and she is now recovering well.”
The President also drew a historical parallel, noting that March 21 carries symbolic significance for the National Resistance Movement (NRM), linking it to a 1979 battle during the struggle against former President Idi Amin’s forces.
“The 21st of March is a good day for the Resistance. That is when we defeated the counter-attack of Idi Amin at Rugaando (12 miles from Mbarara) in 1979,” he said.
Museveni used the message to reflect on the First Lady’s personal sacrifices during the liberation struggle, particularly between 1981 and 1986, when he was engaged in the bush war while she cared for their children in exile.
“Maama has done great things in the family, especially caring for the children during the 2nd phase of the Resistance between 1981 to 1986 when she was alone in exile and I was in the bush,”
Museveni praised Janet’s contribution to the liberation struggle, recalling how she raised their children while he was in the bush during the 1981-1986 resistance war. He also highlighted her work through UWESO, her involvement in NRM politics in Ntungamo and her longstanding religious and charitable activities.
“Maama has done great things in the family,” Museveni wrote, describing her as a devoted mother, philanthropist and steadfast partner throughout some of the most challenging periods in Uganda’s history.
As he celebrated her latest milestone, the President looked to the future, praying that both of them would live to see their 100th birthdays and witness the realization of one of his long-held political ambitions—the East African Federation.
The message, accompanied by family photographs spanning decades, painted a portrait of gratitude, resilience, faith and enduring companionship, offering Ugandans a rare look into the personal side of a leader more often associated with politics and state affairs than public displays of emotion.
READ HIS FULL POST BELOW
From Omugurusi Ampa to Maama Giinga.
Today, the 24th of June is Maama’s birthday having arrived on Earth on this very day 78 years ago. The family and myself thank God for having given us Maama, kept her safe in the years of orphanhood having lost her Father, Mzee Edward Kataaha, in 1955 and prospering her in the subsequent years up to today.
In Particular, I thank God for the miraculous re-connection with her on Christmas day, 1972, outside the Inter-Continental Hotel in Nairobi. Although we were from the same area of Ntungamo and had studied at Kyamate together in 1958, we had got disconnected by the troubled history of Uganda.
Since January, 1971, we had been operating from Tanzania fighting Idi Amin. 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.
I was now on the way to launch another effort of fighting Amin using the 100 rifles we had already infiltrated into Uganda and the hand grenades which Rwaheru and group used very effectively at Lubiri Quarter-Guard, Kyambogo house of mathematics teacher Karuhanga (Omuharabu) and saved me in Mbale, Maluku, House no. 49.
This is where God’s miracle came in. We had just parked in the Inter-Continental car-park, when I saw the Kazzoras, including Maama, entering their cars after they had had lunch at the hotel. I got out of our car and greeted them. Mr. Kazzora and his wife did not know me but Maama Janet and Maama Jennifer Kutesa, knew me from the Ntungamo- Kyamate days.
Without going into details, 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. Praised be the Lord.
It is that miraculous re-connection, that gave me a family of 4 great children and fifteen grandchildren and I am now threatening to have great grandchildren (Abaijukuriza).
Sitaane, 3 months ago, on the 21st of March, 2026, launched an attack on the life of Maama. However, sitaane miscalculated. The 21st of March is a good day for the Resistance. That is when we defeated the counter-attack of Idi Amin at Rugaando (12 miles from Mbarara) in 1979. God, using good doctors, saved Maama’s life and she is now recovering well.
Maama has done great things in the family, especially caring for the children during the 2nd phase of the Resistance between 1981 to 1986 when she was alone in exile and I was in the bush. She has been a great philanthropist with UWESO and she has contributed to the NRM politics in Ntungamo on top of her religious work.
I pray to God to get us to 100 years respectively so that we, among the other good things, see the birth of the East African Federation which is the Insurance of Africa against any future domination or marginalization.
