President Museveni confirms First Lady Janet ‘getting better’ after illness

President Yoweri Museveni has addressed rumours about the health of First Lady Janet Museveni following days of speculation in the media.

The president was today quoted by one his senior advisors, Brig Gen Proscovia Nalweyiso as confirming that his wife was recuperating steading following health scare.

Nalweyos told YouTuber Ruth Kalibbala Baanika that the president had personally said his wife had been unwell but was now improving.

“My brother President Yoweri Museveni has told us that Maama fell sick, but she is now getting better,” Brig Gen Nalweyiso said. 

“She is okay now. We ask the country to continue praying for her.”

Rumours about Mrs Museveni’s health spread widely on social media in recent days with some unverified posts claiming she had been admitted to Mbuya Military Hospital in a critical condition, fuelling speculation and concern online. 

The rumours even intensified after reports circulated that the president’s official jet had been in Atlanta, Georgia, prompting unfounded claims that she was overseas for treatment. 

Government officials responded to those posts, saying the flight was for routine aircraft maintenance, not medical travel.

Amid the speculation, authorities have taken action against reports that the first lady had died. 

Arnold Anthony Mukose, a Kampala-based journalist with DigiTalk Media, was charged with broadcasting false information and “sending false distress signals” after allegedly claiming that Mrs Museveni had passed away. He denied the charges in court and was remanded to Luzira Prison until his next appearance on 

Speaking about these speculations, Brig Gen Nalweyiso warned against false death rumours, noting that Uganda has a history of wrongful death announcements. 

“Uganda unfortunately is fond of falsely announcing people’s deaths,” she said, adding that she herself had been mistakenly declared dead once.