By Fred Kiva
President Yoweri Museveni has heaped praise on his wife, First Lady Janet Museveni on her 71st Birthday.
In a message shared on his twitter page, the president described Janet as the cornerstone of their family and a true mother of the nation.
“Happy Birthday to you Maama @JanetMuseveni. You are the cornerstone of our family and a true mother of the nation. Your heart for service makes you a role model to many women in Uganda and around the world. May the good Lord bless & keep you in perfect health,” President Museveni who is currently on a working day in China said.
In response, the First Lady who has in the past narrated how she met the President reiterated her friendship with her husband.
“Thank you Mzee @KagutaMuseveni, my husband and friend. And to everyone for the warm wishes. I thank God for yet another year, for the gift of life and good health. God bless you all,” Mrs. Museveni stated.
About referring to her husband as a friend too, Mrs. Museveni told the Network Africa programme on the BBC, the British public broadcaster, in a special African First Ladies’ interview, aired 2010 that before they became husband and wife, she had been friends with Mr Museveni since childhood.
“My husband was one of my childhood friends—people I met in childhood. We went to the same schools, but he was slightly older than I was. Our mothers knew each other, our families therefore knew each other. So, I knew him when I was younger; so, when we met as adults, we were really no strangers,” Mrs. Museveni said then.
It’s not clear yet if the First Lady will hold a birthday party, just like it was last year where she was joined by her family and close relatives to mark her 70th birthday. The event took place at State House-Entebbe.
Born Janet Kainembabazi Kataaha on June 24 1948, she has been the First Lady of Uganda since 1986. She is married to Museveni, with whom she has four children including Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Patience Museveni Rwabwogo, Diana Museveni Kamuntu and Natasha Museveni Karugire.
Gen Kainerugaba one of the most followed Ugandans on Twitter also sent best wishes to her mother.
"Happy birthday to my dear mother @JanetMuseveni. Almighty God continue to bless and favour you Mama."
Janet Museveni is currently the Minister of Education and Sports, having been switched from the Karamoja Affairs cabinet docket which she held previously. She is also the founder of the Uganda Women's Effort to Save the Children (UWESO) a child based non-governmental organisation, and a retired Member of Parliament for Ruhama County in Ntungamo district.
