Uganda’s First Lady, Janet Museveni, has contracted Covid-19, President Yoweri Museveni announced Wednesday. The news comes just days after the couple celebrated Christmas together.
According to President Museveni, Ms. Museveni, affectionately known as “Maama Janet,” began experiencing throat irritation, described as a “sandy feeling,” following a family Christmas lunch. Although a rapid test initially returned negative, a subsequent PCR test confirmed the positive diagnosis.
“Maama was feeling weak, with headaches and the persistent throat irritation,” President Museveni wrote in a statement. He further disclosed that he himself underwent a test as a precautionary measure, which thankfully came back negative.
As a result, the First Lady has gone into self-isolation at one of their residences in Rwakyitura, while the President is continuing with pre-arranged engagements that do not involve his wife. This explains their recent absence from public events in Kyenkwanzi and at MP Kaboyo’s function.
Despite their close proximity, sharing both a bedroom and air-conditioned car trips, President Museveni remains a curious negative case. He speculates that his May 2023 Covid-19 infection may have provided some degree of immunity, while Ms. Museveni battles the virus for the first time. Reassuringly, the President reported that her condition is stable and she is “doing well.”