President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his wife Janet Museveni / HANDOUT
Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni marked his 82nd birthday on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, with messages of goodwill from his family, the government and prominent figures across East Africa celebrating the veteran leader’s life and more than four decades in Uganda’s political arena.
Leading the birthday wishes was First Lady Janet Museveni, who shared a deeply personal message to her husband, reflecting on the significance of reaching another milestone together.
“It is amazing that another year has gone by. We give praise and honour to God for His loving kindness, mercy and grace. He has walked with us, and we are at the beginning of another year! It is hard to believe that you are 82!”
“2026 has been a year unlike other years, and therefore we have even more reasons to give thanks to God for the blessing of life. The fact that I am here in person to wish you a happy birthday is a testament to God’s goodness and Faithfulness. Happy 82nd birthday, Mzee! May God continue to bless and use you mightily.”
Museveni’s children also joined the birthday wishes. His daughter, Natasha Museveni Karugire, described him as the “greatest father, leader, man” and prayed that God would continue to pour blessings into his life. Her message combined a daughter’s affection with recognition of her father’s public role.
His son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, also publicly celebrated the milestone. “Let me be the first to congratulate the greatest black man that God ever created on his 82nd birthday. Hongera Mzee wa Kazi. May you have many more,” Muhoozi wrote.
The celebrations extended beyond Uganda.
In Kenya, former Starehe MP and musician Charles Njagua, popularly known as Jaguar, joined the birthday wishes ahead of the occasion.
During a visit to his Nairobi home by Kenyan social media personality Cassypool, the two publicly wished Museveni a happy 82nd birthday, with Jaguar saying: “Happy birthday, President Yoweri Museveni. We wish you all the best and that you continue leading Uganda.”
The birthday comes at a significant point in Museveni’s political journey. He was sworn in for a seventh term in May after winning Uganda’s January 2026 presidential election, extending his rule into a fifth decade.
Reuters reported that Museveni received about 72 per cent of the vote, while his main challenger, Bobi Wine, received about 24 per cent.
Museveni first became president in January 1986 after leading the National Resistance Movement and National Resistance Army through a five-year liberation struggle.
According to Uganda’s State House, he organised the movement after going into the bush with 26 other young men to oppose previous regimes.
At 82, therefore, Museveni’s birthday marks more than a personal milestone. It comes months into his seventh presidential term and after more than 40 years at the centre of Uganda’s political life, with supporters continuing to celebrate his longevity, leadership and contribution to the country.
