Kampala, Uganda: First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon Janet Kataaha Museveni, has broken her silence following months of public concern about her health, thanking Ugandans for their prayers, support, and birthday wishes.
In a message shared on her official social media platform X on Thursday evening, Maama Janet expressed gratitude to President Yoweri Museveni, whom she referred to as “Mzee,” and to Ugandans who have continued praying for her.
“It’s me, Janet Museveni. It is a confirmation that the God I talk about is a living God. He is not a myth, He lives!” she wrote.
The First Lady said the experience had reaffirmed her faith and belief in God.
“I must therefore thank Uganda, beginning with Mzee, who has prayed with the whole nation. I praise God for leading us to know Him. Thank you all for coming out publicly to pray for me,” she added.
Maama Janet also appreciated the messages of goodwill she has received from Ugandans both within and outside the country. “Thank you for all those continuous prayers and also for the kind birthday wishes. Thank you for letting me know just how much I am loved,” she said.
Thursday’s message marks Janet Museveni’s first public statement since concerns emerged regarding her health, prompting an outpouring of prayers and messages of support from religious leaders, government officials, political figures, and ordinary Ugandans.
Her statement comes just hours after the State House announced that President Museveni had appointed State Minister for Higher Education Dr John Chrysostom Muyingo as Acting Minister of Education and Sports as Maama recovers from a recent health scare.
A press release issued by the Presidential Press Unit on Thursday confirmed that Dr Muyingo would oversee the ministry in an acting capacity with immediate effect.
The appointment had sparked fresh public discussion about the First Lady’s well-being, given that she has held the Education and Sports docket for nearly a decade and has remained one of the most influential figures in Uganda’s education sector.
But that Thursday X post is likely to reassure supporters who had expressed concern following reports about her health and temporary absence from official duties.
Throughout her public life, the First Lady has frequently spoken about the role of faith in leadership and national development, often attributing personal and national milestones to divine guidance.
Her latest remarks continued that theme, focusing on gratitude, faith, and appreciation for the support she has received from across the country.
The First Lady, who yesterday marked her 78th birthday, remains one of Uganda’s longest-serving senior government officials, having previously served as Minister for Karamoja Affairs before taking over as Minister of Education and Sports in 2016.
Her message quickly attracted widespread reactions online, with thousands of Ugandans welcoming her return to public communication and expressing relief at hearing directly from her.
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