KAMPALA, Uganda
President Yoweri Museveni has marked the 78th birthday of his wife, Janet Kataaha Museveni, with a personal message reflecting on their long relationship, family life and Uganda’s political history.
In the posts published on social media, Museveni describes Maama as a key figure in his family life and political journey, crediting her with raising children during what he calls the second phase of the Resistance between 1981 and 1986, when he says he was engaged in guerrilla warfare.
He thanked Maama having contributed to family life, philanthropy through UWESO, and religious and political work in Ntungamo.
Museveni says Maama turned 78 years old and thanks God for her life, describing her survival through childhood hardship after losing her father, Mzee Edward Kataaha in 1955.
Museveni also reflected on how he reconnected with her in 1972 in Nairobi, saying the two had previously studied together at Kyamate in 1958 but later lost contact due to Uganda’s political instability at the time.
He further recalled parts of his early involvement in the armed struggle against the regime of Idi Amin, including operations launched from Tanzania in the early 1970s.
Museveni said that in September 1972, he took part in a battle in Mbarara during which his group suffered setbacks due to lack of training, describing it as a difficult moment in the struggle. He said that by the end of the day, only a small number of fighters had regrouped.
The President used the message to reflect on the challenges faced during the liberation war and the personal experiences that shaped both his political journey and relationships formed during that period.
Janet Museveni has served in various public roles over the years, including as First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, and remains one of the most influential political figures in Uganda.
The birthday message comes amid continued public interest in the personal histories of Uganda’s long-serving leadership, much of which is closely tied to the country’s liberation struggle in the 1970s and 1980s.
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