President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has shared a deeply personal message revealing the names and nicknames of his children, the historical significance of their birth dates, and praise for his son Muhoozi Kainerugaba over his role in fighting corruption in the army.
Museveni Explains His Children’s Nicknames and the Origin of “Muogi”
In his message, Museveni introduced his children along with the affectionate nicknames used within the family, before explaining how Muhoozi came to be called “Muogi.”
Museveni also praised his wife Janet Museveni for taking care of the children when he was a way in the struggle.
“I am sending out this message to, first of all, thank God for giving Maama and myself our wonderful children: Muhoozi (Muogi), Natasha (Kukuru), Patience (Pusi) and Kyaremeera (Kyinini)., protecting them and prospering them,” noted Museveni as family celebrated first son and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s 52nd birthday.
“Secondly, I want to thank Maama for looking after them especially for the years 1981-86 when she was the only parent near them. Thirdly, I salute the children for going through the school systems and branching out successfully in the different fields of life – family, career, etc.”
He went on to give a detailed explanation of how Muhoozi’s nickname originated from pronunciation challenges by former Ugandan leader Tito Okello:
“I always call Muhoozi, Muogi. It is because our neighbour in Upanga, Dar-es-Salaam, was Mzee Tito Okello (Gen). Being a traditional Acholi, he had a problem with pronouncing the “z” in Muhoozi’s name. Hence, the Muogi and Maama Janet also became Maama Muogi,” Museveni explained.
“Tito’s wife was safely Maama Jennifer because we had no problem pronouncing Jennifer, the sister of Okello Oryem. Unfortunately, Jennifer died some years ago.”
Museveni Children Birth Dates and Historical Events Linked to Them
Museveni also narrated how each of his children was born on or near historically significant dates, describing it as a “coincidence” that led him to jokingly call them “earth-shakers.”
“When they were young, I used to tease them that they will be earth-shakers because, by some coincidence, they were all born on or near very important historical dates,” he noted.
“Muhoozi was born on the 24th of April, 1974 at Ocean Road Hospital in Dar-es-Salaam. Maama had made arrangements with a Dutch lady that was staying in the flat above ours in Kurasini to drive her to hospital when the time for okurumwa (birth pains) came.
In the night of the 23rd of April, Maama sent me to call the Dutch friend. The Dutch friend drove her to the Hospital. The following morning, I went to the Hospital and Muhoozi was already born. I spent the day with them and came back to the flat at night.”
He connected Muhoozi’s birth to a major global political turning point, recalling a call with Mozambican revolutionary leader Samora Machel:
“The following morning, I rang comrade Samora Machel, the Revolutionary leader of the Mozambique Liberation to tell him about our happy family news. He picked the phone, but advised me to ring him another day because on that day he was busy following the great news of the anti-fascist Revolution that was going on in Portugal that led to the collapse of the 500years Portuguese African Empire,” he narrated
“Amazing- regarding the double blessings to we the freedom fighters- the 24th and 25th of April, 1974.”
He continued with similar reflections on his other children:
“Natasha was born on the 12th of March 1977 at Moshi Christian Centre Hospital. That is the day in 1984, I departed from our base at Kawumu Luwero on the last external mission to get guns from the late Muammar Gaddaffi. That, eventually decisively contributed to the NRM victory in 1986,” he continued.
“Patience was born on the 9th of May,1978, at Muhimbili Hospital- Victory Day in Europe, against Hitler and Kyaremeera was born on the 30th of June, 1980, the same date as the historic independence of Belgian Congo (DRC) IN 1960. I share with our fellow Ugandans and Africans our little jokes in the family. Congratulations Muogi, his wife, children and siblings on this milestone.”
Museveni Praises Muhoozi for Fighting Corruption in the Army
Museveni reserved special praise for Muhoozi, highlighting his role in combating corruption within the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and strengthening the military.
“Fourthly, I thank the Ugandans and some of the Africans for standing with and supporting our family and Political movement in the various endeavours we have been undertaking with them,” he further wrote.
He then issued a birthday message to his son, emphasizing his contributions:
“On this occasion, on the 24th of April 2026, I want to congratulate Gen. Muhoozi (Muogi) on this 52nd birthday. These children, in particular Muhoozi, were born in the resistance, grew up in the resistance, and, in various ways, have made significant contribution to the resistance,” he noted.
“Gen. Muhoozi has made significant contribution to fighting corruption in the Army and increasing the lethality of the UPDF.”
Museveni has also previously explained why he named his son Muhoozi, which has something to do with revenge Here.
Meanwhile, there are calls by some MPs for Museveni to appoint his son Muhoozi as Vice President as reported Here.
You can read about the priestess of the first family, whom an an American prophet said would soon be given a juicy job in his father Museveni’s government Here and There.
