Janet Museveni's Call for Forgiveness: A Nation Reflects
On May 25, 2025, Uganda witnessed an unprecedented moment in its political history when President Yoweri Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni issued a joint public apology at the Light Up Uganda for Jesus Crusade, organized by their daughter, Pastor Patience Rwabwogo, at Kololo Independence Grounds. The carefully orchestrated event saw the First Couple acknowledge failures in governance, corruption, and the alienation of citizens, particularly in the Buganda region, as the nation approaches the 2026 general elections. Janet Museveni, long regarded as a maternal figure embodying nurture and godliness, struck a poignant tone, stating, “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.” This apology, framed as a spiritual act of repentance, has sparked a complex national dialogue, blending hope, skepticism, and demands for tangible reform.
The apology was delivered against a backdrop of mounting political tensions. Buganda, a historically influential region, played a pivotal role in Museveni’s rise to power during the 1981–1986 guerrilla war. However, recent decades have seen strained relations, culminating in the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) significant losses in the 2021 elections, where the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) secured strong support in the region. The Musevenis’ statement, invoking their early bond with Buganda, sought to rekindle “mutual love, respect, commitment, and support,” while acknowledging that “many grassroots supporters have become angry and often feel neglected or forgotten.” Their call for divine intervention—“Lord, restore the favour we had at the beginning”—underscored a desire for national healing, yet its political undertones were unmistakable.
Public reactions have been polarized. Some Ugandans, like Hellen Akiror, NRM Women League Chairperson for Soroti City West Division, praised the gesture as a humble acknowledgment of human fallibility, citing Colossians 3:13 to argue that the Musevenis deserve forgiveness. Others, however, dismissed it as a strategic maneuver to bolster support ahead of the elections. Sarah Bireete, head of the Centre for Constitutional Governance, argued that the apology would only carry weight if accompanied by Museveni’s retirement, stating, “What the president said would have made so much sense if he was quitting to retire peacefully at his ancestral home in Rwakitura.” Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) rejected the apology outright, pointing to ongoing human rights abuses and calling for an end to injustices as the only true form of contrition.
Critics have also highlighted the absence of concrete reforms in the Musevenis’ statement. While they acknowledged corruption and negligence, no specific accountability measures were proposed. Political historian Dr. John Paul Kasujja described the gesture as “too late,” emphasizing that systemic issues like political repression and resource mismanagement require more than symbolic acts. In Buganda, where tensions with the government have been exacerbated by land disputes and the 2009 riots, the kingdom’s spokesperson, Israel Kazibwe, cautiously welcomed the apology but noted unmet expectations, such as the return of kingdom properties.
The apology’s context, delivered at a religious crusade, has drawn scrutiny for its perceived political motivations. Museveni, who has ruled since 1986, has faced accusations of using religious platforms to soften his image amid criticisms of authoritarianism. The absence of their son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, a controversial figure and potential successor, fueled speculation that the apology aimed to smooth his political path. Yet, the gesture’s visibility has undeniably prompted reflection, with calls for transitional justice, including the release of political prisoners like Dr. Kizza Besigye and institutional reforms to ensure a peaceful power transition.
As Uganda stands at a crossroads, Janet Museveni’s call for forgiveness has ignited a broader conversation about accountability and reconciliation. While some see it as a step toward healing, others view it as insufficient without systemic change. Whether this moment marks a genuine shift or a calculated political strategy, its impact will depend on the actions that follow. For now, the nation reflects on whether words can mend decades of grievances or if only deeds will suffice.
