Former Makerere University Vice Chancellor and presidential candidate Venacius Baryamureeba has called on President Museveni to appoint his daughter, Natasha Museveni Karugire, as Minister of Education and Sports to replace First Lady Janet Museveni.
Professor Baryamureeba, who runs a private university, Utamu, made the call in a post on X, saying the Education Ministry requires a transition from "Mama Janet" to Natasha as the First Lady continues recovering from an illness that has kept her away from public duties since March.
"Now is the time for transition from Mama Janet to Natasha at the Ministry of Education and Sports," Baryamureeba wrote.
He said although Ugandans continue praying for the First Lady's recovery, she should prioritise her health and avoid the pressures associated with managing one of the country's largest ministries.
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"We have been praying for the First Lady to have full recovery but even as she recovers fully she should put her life first and avoid the stressful work at the MoES. Serving as First Lady is very demanding on its own," he said.
Janet Museveni, who has served as Education Minister since 2016, has been absent from public engagements since falling ill in March. President Museveni recently said during celebrations to mark her 78th birthday that she had narrowly survived a life-threatening medical condition.
"Sitaane, three months ago, on the 21st of March, 2026, launched an attack on the life of Maama. However, Sitaane miscalculated," Museveni wrote on June 24, 2026.
In her first public address since March, Mrs Museveni on June 25 thanked the nation for its prayers and support.
"It's me, Janet Museveni. It is a confirmation that the God I talk about is a living God. He is not a myth, He lives!" she wrote.
"I must therefore thank Uganda, beginning with Mzee, who has prayed with the whole nation. I praise God for leading us to know Him. Thank you all for coming out publicly to pray for me. Thank you for all those continuous prayers and also for the kind birthday wishes. Thank you for letting me know just how much I am loved."
Although the President later said the First Lady had been discharged from hospital, she has not returned to public life, been vetted by Parliament or sworn in for another term as Education Minister.
In her absence, State Minister for Higher Education Dr John Chrysestom Muyingo has been appointed to act as minister.
Baryamureeba, who contested in the 2016 presidential election, argued that Natasha has the experience and exposure needed to take over the ministry, having accompanied President Museveni on campaign trails and interacted with communities across the country.
"Natasha has been on campaign trails with the President and knows the needs of Ugandans in the education and sports sectors. She also knows what Mama Janet has done and intends to do in the next five years," he said.
He added that Natasha would benefit from mentorship from both the President and First Lady on education and sports matters.
"She is also more placed to be coached and mentored by the President and First Lady on Education and Sports matters. She also has goodwill and support of stakeholders in the education sector," he said.
Baryamureeba described her as knowledgeable and competent, saying her experience in State House would help her mobilise resources for the ministry.
"Ministry of Education and Sports is a ministry that requires a lot of financing and she has the capacity to lobby the President, Ministry of Finance and even Parliament to ensure the MoES is well funded," he said.
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He said appointing Natasha would provide a smooth transition and guarantee continuity in the education and sports sectors.
"Lastly, if this transition happens, it will be one of the best successions that would ensure seamless continuity in the education and sports sectors," Baryamureeba said.
Natasha has not publicly indicated interest in taking up the Education Ministry docket, and there has been no indication from State House that President Museveni is considering replacing the First Lady.
First Son General Muhoozi Kainerugaba is the Chief of Defence Forces and a senior presidential advisor while Museveni's brother Caleb Akandanwaho, popularly known by his bush war alias Salim Saleh, runs the Operation Wealth Creation program and maintains an axis of power from his bases in Gulu and Kapeeka.
