NTUNGAMO, Uganda — Weeks of uncertainty surrounding the health of Uganda’s First Lady, Janet Kataaha Museveni, came to an end Friday when her closest aide disclosed that she had quietly returned home after receiving treatment abroad, prompting an emotional thanksgiving service in her birthplace that blended prayer, relief and political symbolism.
The announcement was made during a special prayer breakfast held at Ntungamo District Hall to celebrate Janet Museveni’s 78th birthday, where religious leaders, politicians and residents abandoned the usual tone of ceremonial speeches in favor of gratitude for what they described as her recovery and safe return.
For much of the past three months, the First Lady had remained out of public view, fueling widespread speculation across social media and political circles. Her absence from major state functions, including the swearing-in of Cabinet ministers after her reappointment as Minister of Education and Sports, only intensified questions that government officials initially chose not to answer publicly.
At her husband’s swearing-in ceremony, she was represented by Museveni’s favorite child Natasha Karugire. (Read interesting facts about Natasha Here).
President Yoweri Museveni would later reveal that his wife had survived a serious health challenge, while Janet Museveni herself broke her silence this week with a brief but deeply personal message thanking Ugandans for their prayers and declaring that God had preserved her life.
Friday’s gathering in Ntungamo offered the strongest official confirmation yet that the period of uncertainty had passed.
Speaking before hundreds of worshippers, South Ankole Diocesan Bishop Rt. Rev. Nathan Ahimbisibwe urged Ugandans to ignore what he described as misinformation that had circulated regarding the First Lady’s condition.
“People have stated and written a lot about Mama. However, Mama is alive, Mama is in the country,” Bishop Ahimbisibwe said.
His remarks immediately shifted the atmosphere inside the packed hall, where many had come hoping for reassurance after weeks of rumors.
That reassurance became even more explicit when Janet Museveni’s Principal Private Secretary, Seth Rukurungu, addressed the congregation and explained why her office had remained largely silent throughout the medical episode.
“We went silent; however, God has enabled us to go through it all and brought Mama back into the country last night,” Rukurungu said.
The statement amounted to the first official confirmation that the First Lady had been outside Uganda for treatment and had now safely returned home.
The prayer breakfast, however, was about more than her recovery. It also reflected Janet Museveni’s enduring political and personal influence in Ntungamo District, where she was born, represented Ruhaama County in Parliament for a decade, and currently serves as chairperson of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
As prayers continued, Bishop Ahimbisibwe broadened his message beyond Janet Museveni’s health, reminding the congregation that public office should be viewed as a sacred responsibility rather than an opportunity for personal gain.
“Did you know that there is someone eying your position? Their eyes are wide open. Everyone needs it. May God protect our President until he accomplishes his mission. May God protect Mama,” he said.
The bishop’s appeal echoed throughout a district where Janet Museveni remains one of the ruling party’s most influential figures.
Local leaders took turns describing the impact they believe she has had on both Ntungamo and Uganda’s education sector.
Ntungamo District LC5 Chairperson Samuel Muchunguzi expressed hope that she would soon resume her ministerial duties.
“We wish Maama a quick recovery and that she returns to her ministry to serve the nation. I wish she could live more than 100 years so that we continue benefiting from her services,” Muchunguzi said.
Former Ntungamo Woman Member of Parliament Josyline Baata Kamateneti credited the First Lady with helping calm political divisions while expanding educational opportunities in the district.
“Since she became chairperson of NRM, conflicts have been resolved, and she has helped our education sector, especially in Ntungamo District, to improve,” Kamateneti noted.
Kajara County Member of Parliament James Hunter Tukahirwa described Janet Museveni as a stabilizing presence within both the district and the ruling party.
“As NRM chairperson, she is a uniting factor, and praying for her today was a good thing because she is a unifying factor,” Tukahirwa said.
Throughout nearly two decades in government, Janet Museveni has overseen major education initiatives, including the rollout of seed secondary schools, expansion of access to education and reforms aimed at strengthening public schools. Supporters frequently cite those initiatives as defining achievements of her tenure at the Ministry of Education and Sports.
Her return to Uganda now closes a chapter that had generated intense public curiosity while opening another in which attention is likely to shift back to her ministerial responsibilities.
For the residents gathered in Ntungamo on Friday morning, however, politics appeared secondary.
The prayers, hymns and thanksgiving reflected a community celebrating what many regarded as answered prayers. After months of silence, uncertainty and speculation, the message that resonated most strongly inside the hall was not political but personal: one of Uganda’s most recognizable public figures had returned home.
Meanwhile, Janet Museveni has broken her silence, speaking out for the first time in three months in which she was undergoing treatment. (Read what she said Here).
Museveni has said that Satan attacked Janet, as he gave an update on her health condition Here.
You can also read about the ‘miracle’ love story of how Museveni met Janet Here.
Meanwhile, Museveni has appointed an acting Minister of Education and Sports to ‘replace’ his wife for some time. (See Details Here).
