Janet Museveni Goes Into Self-Isolation After Testing Positive for COVID-19

Uganda’s First Lady Janet Museveni, 75, has tested positive for COVID-19.

This was revealed by President Museveni in  a statement on Thursday evening.

Museveni said Maama Janet tested positive for COVID-19 after a family lunch on Christmas Day, experiencing weakness and a sandy feeling in the throat.

“We did a Rapid Corona test, which was negative,” said Museveni.

“However, we sent another sample to Mbarara for a PCR test and it came back Positive,” he added.

State House had earlier shared pictures showing Museveni taking a walk with Maama Janet at Rwakitura. 

“Indeed, Maama was feeling weak, with headache sometimes and with the Kukarakaatwa (sandy feeling in the throat). Immediately, on the 26th morning, I had to carry out a test on myself so that we decide to manage the problem. The tests came back negative by afternoon,” recalled Museveni. 

Museveni said the family decided for Maama to self- isolate in one of the houses at Rwakitura “while I continue with the programmes that we had arranged but not ones where Maama was involved.”

The president said this explains “why we could not go to Kyenkwanzi or to Hon. Kaboyo’s function.”

Minister Alice Kaboyo is today hosting friends and family at a thanksgiving ceremony in Kiruhura district.

Despite close contact, President Museveni remained negative, speculating whether his previous COVID-19 infection in May contributed to his immunity.

“What is of interest is how I remained negative in spite of being with Maama all these days- sharing the room, the air- conditioned car to Entebbe and back to Nakasero. Was it because I am emponoka (survivor) of Corona of last May? Maama is now a first time corona warrior. She is doing well,” he wondered. 

Museveni said “Maama is now in self-isolation, and the President continues with scheduled activities.”

The First Family had gone to great lengths over the last three years to avoid contracting the coronavirus.

Museveni and Janet religiously wore face masks during public functions, regularly washing or sanitising his hands, and distancing themselves from visitors during public meetings.

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Museveni ordered stringent restrictions on the movement of people and suspended social gatherings to prevent further spread of the deadly virus, which claimed almost 4,000 lives in Uganda.

In 2021, the President and First Lady received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.