KAMPALA, Uganda — President Yoweri Museveni has revealed that First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Kataaha Museveni recently survived a serious health scare, saying she is now recovering after what he termed an attempt by “Satan” on her life.
The disclosure, made in a statement by the Ugandan leader, sheds fresh light on months of speculation about the First Lady’s health following her conspicuous absence from several high-profile state functions earlier this year.
For weeks, questions had lingered over Mrs. Museveni’s condition after she missed President Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony following the disputed January 2026 presidential election. Her absence from one of the most important events in Uganda’s political calendar sparked widespread discussion across social media and political circles, particularly because she has long been one of the most visible figures in government and at state events.
For the swearing-in ceremony, Museveni was accompanied by Natasha. Read more interesting facts about Museveni’s favorite child Natasha Here and There.
The concerns deepened when she was also absent during key stages of the vetting process for cabinet appointments and subsequent government functions.
Now, President Museveni has provided what appears to be the clearest account yet of what happened.
Mrs. Museveni, 78, has for decades occupied a central position in Uganda’s public life. She has served as First Lady since her husband captured power in 1986 and has held several ministerial positions, including Minister for Karamoja Affairs and Minister of Education and Sports.
A prominent born-again Christian, she has frequently spoken publicly about faith, prayer and divine intervention. The Museveni family has often framed major personal and political events through a religious lens, making the President’s latest comments consistent with a pattern that has characterized much of their public messaging over the years.
While the exact nature of the illness was not disclosed, Museveni suggested that the situation had been grave enough to threaten her life.
The President said the incident occurred on March 21, a date that carries special significance in the history of Uganda’s National Resistance Movement.
According to Museveni, the day coincides with a major military victory during the 1979 war that helped bring down the regime of former Ugandan leader Idi Amin. By invoking that historical milestone, the President appeared to frame his wife’s recovery as part of a broader narrative of divine protection that has often featured in his reflections on Uganda’s political journey.
Only after recounting that historical connection did Museveni reveal the seriousness of the health challenge his wife had faced.
“Sitaane [Satan], 3 months ago, on the 21st of March, 2026, launched an attack on the life of Maama,” Museveni said.
He continued by suggesting that the timing of the illness had ultimately worked against what he viewed as an attack by Satan.
“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.”
Museveni then credited both divine intervention and medical professionals for saving the First Lady’s life.
“God, using good doctors, saved Maama’s life and she is now recovering well,” he said.
The statement is likely to reassure supporters who had worried about Mrs. Museveni’s prolonged absence from public view earlier in the year.
For now, however, the President’s message was one of gratitude rather than concern.
After months of speculation surrounding her absence from key state functions, Museveni’s account suggests that the First Lady survived a life-threatening medical episode and is on the path to recovery — an outcome he attributed to both faith and medicine.
It should be remembered that Museveni and his wife survived an accident months ago, as reported Here.
Janet Museveni has also said that speaking of Uganda’s transition for brings tears to her eyes, even as she and her husband apologized to Buganda. (See Details Here and There).
