Museveni, Janet ask for forgiveness, seek fresh start with Ugandans amid Buganda rift

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Despite the rare show of contrition, the couple offered no clear reforms or accountability measures, leaving critics skeptical of their introspection.
Notably absent from the event was their controversial son and military forces chief, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, whose divisive image has triggered claims of eroding legitimacy.

President Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni have issued a rare joint public apology, acknowledging failures in governance, corruption, and alienation of citizens, especially in Buganda, as political tensions mount ahead of the 2026 general elections.

In a carefully choreographed moment at a national evangelical convention organised by their daughter, Pastor Patience Rwabwogo, the couple stood side by side and read from a prepared joint prayer of repentance, admitting negligence and lapses within their government.

“We acknowledge that we’re human, have missed you and have made mistakes in one way or the other. Forgive us, oh Lord,” the Musevenis said solemnly.

“As the top leaders of the Movement, we humbly take responsibility for all the mistakes made by ourselves, our agents and representatives,” they added.

The First Couple, who have been married since 1973—marking over 50 years together—also offered prayers for national renewal, invoking imagery from the early days of the 1981–1986 guerrilla war that brought Museveni to power.

Janet Museveni, who has always projected a maternal image of nurture, healing and Godliness, struck a familiar tone in their message of repentance:

“We stand here to repent and ask for your forgiveness, especially from the people of Buganda, and the whole country. There has been marked laxity, negligence and lack of diligence… Many grassroots supporters have become angry and often feel neglected or forgotten.”

Though couched as a spiritual confession, the moment carried unmistakable political undertones. President Museveni, who has long styled himself as a grandfatherly figure in national life, subtly invoked the liberation legacy that brought him to power in 1986:

“The way we came to them in the beginning is the way we’re coming to them again — to resurrect our mutual love, respect, commitment and support,” they read to thousands at Kololo Independence Grounds.

Their prayer continued with a call for national healing: “Lord, restore the favour we had at the beginning. Soften hardened hearts and connect us to the original vision of national unity and transformation.”

The Sunday scenes echoed not just a political reconciliation effort but also memories of their deep religious bond since they wed in a church ceremony in 1973.

First Lady Janet Museveni interacts with her daughter Patience Rwabogo of the Covenant Nations Church, during the Light Up Uganda for Jesus crusade/convention in Kampala on May 25, 2025. Janet and Museveni said they were "thankful to God for the usual opportunity He has given them to lead Uganda without interruption" for nearly 40 years. PHOTO/PPU

On Monday, critics swiftly dismissed their apology as hollow without concrete action.

“What the president said would have made so much sense if he was quitting to retire peacefully at his ancestral home in Rwakitura,” said Sarah Bireete, head of the Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG), in an interview with NTV Uganda.

Dr John Paul Kasujja, a political historian and university lecturer, said the gesture came too late.

“It’s the right thing for the Musevenis to do, but his time to apologise is long past,” he emphasized.

Bireete added that many Ugandans “cannot love Museveni again because of the atrocities committed under his regime. Maybe some love could be found for him if he peacefully hands over power.”

The apology is seen by observers as a strategic effort to mend strained ties with Buganda—locally known as Mengo—a kingdom central to Uganda’s political and cultural identity.

Once a key pillar in Museveni’s rise during the 1981–1986 guerrilla war, Buganda has increasingly leaned toward the opposition, especially after the deadly 2009 riots sparked by tensions with the Kabaka Mutebi’s kingdom.

The Musevenis wed in a quiet church ceremony in 1973, a union often referenced by the First Lady as grounded in faith and divine calling. It’s a narrative they continue to project, of a family chosen to serve both God and country. PHOTO/PPU

The Musevenis’ admission signaled recognition that mismanagement, corruption, and political hostilities have fueled the growing rift between the ruling NRM and its former heartland.

“Corruption has also continued to hinder progress in many ways, and therefore, many of our grassroots supporters have become disgruntled and angry and often have a perception that our government neglected them, or failed them or forgot them,” the Musevenis said.

“It is our prayer that national resources will now be fully utilised for the benefit of all regions, especially those that feel left behind,” they said.

Yet despite the rare show of contrition, the couple offered no clear reforms or accountability measures, leaving critics skeptical.

“His apology doesn’t mean that things will change. Wait for the 2026 election and see what will happen contrary to his apology,” said Dr Kasujja.

He pointed out that “if they keep fronting their agenda as a couple, whatever they’ve built in the last 40 years will go to waste unless they start to major on a national agenda.”

President Museveni and members of the first family pose for a photo during the Light Up Uganda for Jesus crusade/convention in Kampala on May 25, 2025. Renowned international evangelist Bishop Dr LaDonna Osborn (to Janet's right) was part of the convention. PHOTO/PPU

Notably absent from the event was their controversial son and military forces chief, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, whose political ambitions and divisive image have complicated the post-Museveni narrative, often leading to comparisons of the ruling government to the regimes of Idi Amin and Milton Obote- which Museveni opposed.

Addressing journalists in Kampala last Wednesday, Uganda’s opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) said: “I hear that one of Museveni’s daughter is a pastor. How does she and the family feel when their family is holding and torturing people in basements?”

Bobi Wine accused the First Family of “hiding behind religion to sanitise crimes against citizens.”

Now, Birete says: “Even the actions of the army under Gen Muhoozi...Museveni has the authority to end that impunity or sanction its continuity. And then go ahead to hand over power for his apology to be valid.”

But the Musevenis maintain that they "are still totally committed to the development of Buganda and Uganda."