By Nathan Eyagu 

Uganda's First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataaha Museveni, has publicly spoken for the first time after months away from the public eye, thanking President Yoweri Museveni, Ugandans and well-wishers for their prayers, support and birthday wishes following a recent health scare.

In a heartfelt message shared on her official X account, Mrs. Museveni described her recovery as a testimony to her Christian faith, saying it reaffirmed her belief in God.

"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 expressed gratitude to President Museveni, whom she referred to as "Mzee," for leading the nation in prayer during her illness.

"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 said.

Mrs. Museveni also thanked Ugandans for the continued prayers and the birthday wishes she received, saying the overwhelming support reminded her of how much she is loved.

"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 added.

The First Lady had not been seen at official public engagements since March 21, 2026, when she attended a fundraising event at Seeta College. Her prolonged absence from public functions sparked widespread concern and speculation about her health.

On June 24, President Yoweri Museveni disclosed that the First Lady had suffered a serious illness beginning on March 21 but was recovering well. Without revealing the nature of the illness, the President thanked God for her recovery and acknowledged the prayers offered by Ugandans across the country.

Mrs. Museveni's latest message marks her first personal public statement since the health scare and is widely seen as reassuring the nation about her recovery. The message has drawn warm reactions from supporters, religious leaders and members of the public, many of whom have welcomed her return to public communication and wished her continued good health.

Her statement also reflects the strong role faith has continued to play in her public life, as she credited both divine intervention and the prayers of Ugandans for her recovery.