Before authority, before military honors, Yoweri Museveni lived as a fugitive in Nairobi, constantly evading danger. His wife, Janet Museveni, was forced to flee Uganda with their children as threats from soldiers loyal to Milton Obote intensified. Escape meant navigating roadblocks, informers, and the constant fear of assassination as security units hunted them across borders.
Janet later recalled her reluctance to leave, having already endured life as a refugee in Tanzania. However, after Museveni rejected the disputed 1980 election results, the risks escalated sharply. Protecting the children became unavoidable. The family’s departure was carefully planned and executed quietly to avoid detection by regional intelligence networks.
Their two eldest children, Muhoozi and Natasha, were sent ahead to Nairobi with a trusted associate. Janet followed alone by air, while Museveni stayed away to reduce suspicion. On arrival, allies sheltered them briefly in Westlands before they moved between modest homes in Ngong and Muthangari. Financial hardship was constant, and Janet supported the family by trading clothes while raising the children largely on her own.
Surveillance followed them everywhere. The children hid their identity, avoided surnames, and learned to live cautiously. After multiple security scares, including attempted abductions, Janet made a sudden escape. Eventually, assistance through the United Nations led the family to Sweden, where they finally found peace after years of living in the shadows.
By Creatorhub