Firefox is a snap package on Ubuntu and I had a similar thing happen where it would lose all my settings when it randomly updated.
You could try installing it as a PPA package: https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2022/04/how-to-install-firefox-deb-apt-ubuntu-22-04
Could an update have removed it? Although it seems strange that it would affect your home directory.
Do you sleepwalk?
Run unsnap, you find it on Github. Great tool, will solve these weird problems
Side note: do try out Firefox sync. It will only take a minute to setup, is pretty secure and most importantly saves your bookmarks, history, passwords, ... so you don't end up where you are today again. HTH
Have you checked syslog and apts logs?
Also, simply uninstalling and reinstalling Firefox shouldn't lose all your settings. Silly question, but are you sure you're the same local user? Also, Firefox syncs this stuff so all sounds odd.
Check your drive for damage?
Does anyone have access to your machine (local or remote)? This sounds every odd.
Do you have a list of the apps? Maybe we can identify they are all snaps/debs and move on from there.
Is there a chance you're deleting these programs and forgetting?
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