President Museveni is expected to announce a new cabinet any time soon as he begins his 7th elective term.
The formation of a new cabinet at the start of each presidential term is both a constitutional practice and a political reset. It provides the Head of State with an opportunity to retain, rotate, or replace ministers depending on their performance record over the previous term, as well as the broader strategic direction of government.
The process is also widely viewed as a balancing exercise that goes beyond individual performance. Considerations such as regional representation, political loyalty within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), gender balance, and emerging political alliances often shape the final composition of the executive.
As a result, each new cabinet tends to reflect both continuity and change within the political landscape.
One key factor in Museveni’s cabinet has been the issue of political losers where many who lose parliamentary seats are subsequently dropped from the next cabinet. This has made many to think it a constitutional decision ,but nothing even close.
In fact, Mr Museveni, 81 has on several occasions retained ministers who lost out in the usually gruelling parliamentary battles. The most recent include Judith Nabakooba, the Lands, Housing and Urban Development minister, who lost the Mityana District Woman MP seat to Joyce Bagala in 2021 but retained a seat in Cabinet.
Yet one cannot help but see the bell toll rather loudly for David Bahati, the outgoing trade and cooperatives state minister and at least Betty Amongi, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
Mr Museveni hates to be predicted and is known to make final changes when his Cabinet leaks, but going by the rise of influence of First Son Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s PLU loose grouping, it looks like a lot will be shaped on their base.
Below is the full cabinet for 2021 and how it is likely to be reshuffled:
Top Executive Leadership
Yoweri Museveni — President
Jessica Alupo — Vice President
Jessica Alupo has been Vice President since June 21, 2021, when she was sworn in at the start of President Museveni’s 2021–2026 term, following her appointment on June 8, 2021 and parliamentary approval shortly after.
Alupo had previously served as Minister for Education and Sports. The incessant rumour is that she will be headed for Defence ministry. As a retired army officer at the rank of a Major, Alupo’s quiet and unassuming public image and the tough “unseen” persona sets her for Mbuya like a belt and a trouser loop.
Robinah Nabbanja — Prime Minister and Leader of Government Business
The leader of the ‘Fishermen Cabinet’ has a way of annoying everyone into submission – you will hate her until you just fall for her. Her mobilisation has been up there as the role of the Prime Minister of the nation appeared to drastically move toward mobilisation.
Cabinet Ministers
Rebecca Kadaga — First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs
Mama Busoga still wields considerable influence and respect in Busoga despite enduring some really strong headwinds since losing a bitter battle for Parliament Speaker’s seat to Jacob Oulanyah in 2021. She looks set to retain a seat in Cabinet.
Moses Ali — Second Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business
The first name in Museveni’s Cabinet is always Al-Hajj Moses Ali. It’s a life-long pact.
Rukia Nakadama — Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio
Can be moved but unlikely to be dropped.
Janet Museveni — Minister of Education and Sports
Like to take a step back from exercising public duties.
Milly Babalanda — Minister for the Presidency
Will retain a seat in Cabinet but likely to be moved if the alleged fallout with Kadaga is anything to go by.
Justine Kasule Lumumba — Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister (General Duties)
One of the most trusted lieutenants in the Movement.
Hilary Onek — Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees
Onek appears to be on his way to retirement unless he has a pact like for General Moses Ali.
Peter Lokeris — Minister for Karamoja Affairs
Out of Parliament and certain to lose the Cabinet perk too. Lokeris has been a steady fixture but only when his political base could hold him.
Jacob Oboth Oboth — Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs
The new Budama big man has already been tipped to become the next speaker of parliament
Minsa Kabanda — Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs
Will retain a seat.
Ruth Nankabirwa — Minister of Energy and Mineral Development
Nankabirwa’s handling of the oil and gas sector has been stellar and she looks like one of the best performing ministers if not for this bedbug called UEDCL. From Umeme’s darkness to UEDCL’s utter darkness, Nankabirwa can only argue it is her ministry and that saw problems in the first leadership of UEDCL and attempted to nip it in the bud only to be frustrated.
There have been changes and now her footing is steady. Should retain the same docket.
Judith Nabakooba — Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development
Took back Mityana and now has a steadier political standing. She will be in Cabinet.
Wilson Muruli Mukasa — Minister of Public Service
I would like to go the unthinkable and predict he will be out of Cabinet.
Jeje Odongo — Minister of Foreign Affairs
Likely to be moved.
Kiryowa Kiwanuka — Attorney General
To retain his docket.
Francis Mwebesa — Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives
Francis looks like retirement is not too far away unless Mr Museveni needs old companions by the fireside.
Monica Musenero — Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation
No more million-shilling rats to talk about, she works.
Jim Muhwezi — Minister for Security
Ah, the revolutionaries…
Kahinda Otafiire — Minister of Internal Affairs
Was asked to shut up on MK and all is well now.
Frank Tumwebaze — Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries
One of the power brokers in the government. Can be moved but will keep his seat.
Jane Ruth Aceng — Minister of Health
After shedding off her career coat to show that she can wade knee-deep in the murky political waters, she is ready for a more political role if moved and possibly becoming deputy speaker
Matia Kasaija — Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development
‘Mr Colleagues’ is increasingly becoming a ceremonial minister, another fireside tale or another big prediction for his semi-retirement?
Edward Katumba Wamala — Minister of Works and Transport
Likely to retain the docket or moved to Interior Ministry.
Sam Cheptoris — Minister of Water and Environment
Well, Mr Museveni knows who he is.
Norbert Mao — Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs
He is likely to retain the docket if he accepts to quit the speaker race
Raphael Magyezi — Minister of Local Government
One of the best performing ministers. Looks nailed in for another term.
Chris Baryomunsi — Minister of ICT and National Guidance
Likely to be moved or dropped after sounding disrespectful to powerful first son Gen Muhoozi who seems to hold the keys to next cabinet
Tom Butime — Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities
Revolutionaries…
Betty Amongi — Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development
The bookmakers have it that she will be out of Cabinet since her party, the Uganda People’s Congress, had frictions with the ruling NRM during the elections.
Denis Hamson Obua — Government Chief Whip
The odds are on his appointment to foreign mission after defeats in both NRM and MP races.
Ministers of State
Beatrice Akori Akello — Economic Monitoring
Have you ever heard of her?
Rose Lilly Akello — Ethics and Integrity
Might retain the seat
Diana Mutasingwa — Office of the Vice President
Likely to be elevated to full Cabinet
Lillian Aber — Disaster Preparedness and Refugees
Moving upwards as “women hold half the sky”.
Kenneth Omona — Northern Uganda
Will keep in Cabinet.
Florence Namboozo — Karamoja Affairs
Good for another five years.
Alice Kaboyo — Luweero Triangle
Will stay around.
Clement Kenneth Obote — Cabinet Affairs
Likely to be redeployed.
Esther Anyakun — Relief and Disaster Preparedness
Ready for bigger role in the same ministry
Henry Musasizi — Finance (General Duties)
Has been the real Finance minister.
Amos Lugoloobi — Finance, Planning and Economic Development
Survived the mabati scandal but likely to be dropped of moved .
Haruna Kasolo — Microfinance
Keeping around due to his big push to win back Buganda Region and being close to Gen Muhoozi
David Bahati — Trade and Cooperatives
One of the favourites for the chop.
Evelyn Anite — Investment and Privatization
Lost her MP seat but retained her place in Cabinet. Had a rollercoaster run with investors and partner agencies. Yet she seems to be moving up with Energy.
Gen David Muhoozi — Internal Affairs
Will be moved or dropped.
Peter Ogwang — Sports
Keeping in for Afcon.
Joyce Moriku Kaducu — Primary Education
Misplaced doctor but will keep in cabinet.
John Chrysostom Muyingo — Higher Education
The Education ministry looks set for a total renewal with new leadership. This time likely to become main minister for the docket
John Mulimba — Foreign Affairs (Regional Affairs)
Has settled in.
Okello Oryem — Foreign Affairs (International Affairs)
A permanent fixture.
Phiona Nyamutoro — Energy and Mineral Development (Minerals)
Will stay.
Sidronius Okaasai Opolot — Energy
Will be moved.
Persis Namuganza — Lands
Keeping in cabinet.
Mario Obiga Kania — Urban Development
Time is closing in on Mario.
Fred Byamukama — Works
To stay.
Fred Kyakulaga — Agriculture
So there has been a minister by this name, Mr Google?
Aisha Sekindi — Water
To keep around.
Grace Mary Mugasa — Public Service
To keep around.
Balaam Barugahara — Youth and Children Affairs
Will stay.
Peace Mutuuzo — Gender and Culture
Staying put.
Huda Oleru — Veterans Affairs
Will be moved.
Anifa Kawooya — Health (General Duties)
For Yellow Girl is staying.
Margaret Muhanga — Primary Health Care
A deeprooted tree but likely to upgrade status.
Joyce Ssebugwawo — ICT
Probably does not know herself as a minister. Going out with FDC now reduced to a sketch.
Godfrey Kabbyanga — ICT and National Guidance
Upgrading as a reward for Rwenzori transformation to NRM.
Martin Mugarra — Tourism
Will be retained.
Jenipher Namuyangu — Bunyoro Affairs
To be retained.