Today, 24th June 2024, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports (Maama Janet Kainembabazi Kataaha Museveni) turns 76 years of age. Here is a message from her husband, H.E. Yoweri K. Museveni – posted as received.
Ugandans, especially the Bazzukulu.
Greetings. Good news. Today, the 24th of June, the Managing Director of “the Museveni Incorporated”, the Matriarch of the Museveni group, the Mother, the Grandmother, my God-given comrade-in-arms of nearly 51 years, my dear wife, Maama Janet Kainembabazi Kataaha Museveni, has turned 76 years of age.
Praised be the Lord who helped us to navigate through so many challenges and gave us so many blessings. I refer to her as the Managing Director, because while all of us are share-holders and Directors in the Museveni Incorporated, she is the Managing Director.
Her unique role in our family story, came out between 1981 and 1986, when we had to send her into exile with our young children: Muhoozi, Natasha, Patience and Diana- Muhoozi being 6 years and Diana 6 months. While our family had been in exile before (1971- 1979), I had been with them in Tanzania-coming and going.
However, this time, she was with the children alone in Kenya and Sweden. Although by this time, I was well-known and I had many African friends (Samora Machel, Shamuyarira, Mwammar Gaddaffi, friends in the USA, Arap Moi, etc.), systems do not always work well. She had to carry all the burden until they relocated to Sweden where the system was very friendly.
I salute the Swedish for supporting my family between 1983 and 1986. I salute Ambassador Mirjam Blaak for making the arrangements. I thank God who gave me Maama Janet to give me a family even as I wandered around as a freedom fighter.
In the social-political areas of Uganda, God has used Maama to support the orphans (UWESO) and to give corruption-free political leadership in the Ministry of Karamoja and the Ministry of Education, guided by the ideas of patriotism, not to forget the time she was MP for Ruhaama. I also thank God for her role with the youth.
I thank God for bringing Maama in my life. Happy birthday (Ginga- Grandmother) and, at least, another 24 happy birthdays to clock 100 years, if not more.
Yoweri K. Museveni – Omugurusi (the Old man), (Kassim-guerrilla name).
