By Jazeerah Mirembe
The First Lady Janet Museveni has said this year (2026 )will remain a defining year in her life after what she described as God’s intervention that saved her from “the very jaws of death”.
Janet ,78 made the remarks on Monday as she celebrated the consecration of her daughter, Pastor Patience Rwabwogo, as an Episcopal Bishop of Covenant Nations Church (CNC) at a ceremony held at Covenant Hill in Maya on Sunday.
The consecration brought together senior religious and political figures, with American evangelist Bishop Dr LaDonna Osborn serving as chief consecrator alongside Archbishop Moses Odongo of Pentecostal Churches in Uganda and Bishop Joshua Lwere.
Patience, who founded CNC 20 years ago as a small house fellowship, was presented with her ministerial certificate and Bible during the service. She also received traditional episcopal symbols, including a ring and staff from Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, a cross from Archbishop Odongo, a mitre from Bishop Osborn and a cope from Bishop Lwere.
In her Monday message, Janet turned her attention to her personal experience this year, saying the events of 2026 had given her another reason to give thanks to God.
President Museveni revealed in June that her wife had been dealing with a health challenge since March and had been recovering with the support of medical professionals.
After spending several months largely away from the public eye, Janet recently resumed public appearances and was among the guests at her daughter’s consecration.
“2026 is forever marked as the year You delivered my life from the very jaws of death,” Janet said.
She invoked Isaiah 59:19 as she described what she regarded as divine intervention in her life, saying she had been delivered from what she called “the snare of the enemy”.
“When the enemy came in like a flood, You lifted up a standard against him (Isaiah 59:19). Thank You Lord for delivering my life from the snare of the enemy. Thank You for proving Yourself true and faithful to Your Word,” she said.
Janet’s reflection came as her family celebrated Patience’s elevation, which was attended by President Museveni. Nigerian preacher Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye and his wife, Folu, were also among the distinguished guests at the ceremony, while President Museveni and Janet marked their daughter’s elevation by gifting her 50 traditional cows.
Rather than focusing solely on the religious significance of the consecration, Janet used her message to reflect on the wider blessings she said her family has experienced over the years.
“As a family, we have much to thank You for. You have been very gracious and compassionate to us all. You have blessed Mzee and I with long lives and we have lived to see our children and grand-children. We have seen the peace and prosperity of Uganda, all these years,” she said.
She also prayed for Patience and her husband, Odrek Rwabwogo, as they begin the next chapter of their ministry, asking God to empower them with fresh spiritual strength.
“We pray that You will now empower them with a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit, to do this great work. Please hear and answer their hearts cry for a double portion anointing to come upon them, so that they can accomplish this great work, for without You they can do nothing,” Janet said.
The consecration marked 20 years since Patience answered what her mother described as a call to ministry, beginning with a small fellowship before the establishment and growth of CNC.