Over 10 former ministers not reappointed

President Yoweri Museveni on Tuesday evening announced his Cabinet, dropping several old faces and appointing new ministers.

Those dropped included the Vice[1]President, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, and Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, who was appointed Special Envoy for Special Duties in the Office of the President.

Ssekandi’s exit was expected after he lost in the January elections.

Some of the former ministers not reappointed include Rosemary Sseninde, Joyce Kabatsi, Mwesigwa Rukutana, Mary Karooro Okurut, Sam Kutesa, Esther Mbayo and Adolf Mwesige. One position of justice minister has not been filled.

NEW FACES

Out of the 31 full cabinet ministers, only 18 were in the previous cabinet.

The rest are new faces. Even those reappointed, many have new portfolios.

Among the new faces in the cabinet include the Vice-President, Maj. Rtd. Jessica Alupo (Katakwi Woman MP), Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (Kakumiro Woman MP), Rebecca Kadaga, the former Speaker of Parliament and also Kamuli Woman MP.

Others are Lukia Nakadama (Mayuge Woman MP), who was appointed Third Deputy Prime Minister, Mariam Dhoka Babalanda (Office of the President), Jim Muhwezi (Minister of Security), Dr. Monica Musenero (Office of the President Serviced by the State House Comptroller, in-charge of Science, Technology and Innovation), Kasule Lumumba (Office of the Prime Minister General Duties), Hajati Misi Kabanda (Minister in Charge of Kampala), Thomas Tayebwa (Government Chief Whip), Kiryowa Kiwanuka (Attorney General), Chris Baryomunsi (Information, Communications and Technology), Francis Mwebesa (Minister of Trade, Industry and Co-operatives).

RETAINED

The President retained Gen. Katumba Wamala as Minister of Works and Transport, Cheptoris Mangusho (Water and Environment), Maj. Tom Butime (Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities) and Matia Kasaija, who was the only one of the two ministers who were retained in the finance ministry.

Senior Ministers who were retained but given new dockets included Frank Tumwebaze, who formerly served as gender, labour and social development, but was shifted to the Ministry for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. Others included Maria Goretti Kitutu (former energy minister but now shifts to Karamoja Affairs), Ruth Nankabirwa (former chief whip but now Minister of Energy), Kahinda Otafiire (formerly of East Africa, but now Interior Affairs Minister), Judith Nabakooba (formerly ICT minister, now Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development.

DROPPED

Several senior ministers who were dropped from cabinet and appointed senior presidential advisors included trade minister Amelia Kyambadde (now Senior Presidential Advisor in charge of Industries), Betty Kamya (Senior Presidential Advisor Lands), Ephraim Kamuntu (Economic and Manifesto Implementation), Sarah Kanyike (Kampala) and Gen. Elly Tumwine (security).

STATE MINISTERS

President Museveni appointed Peter Ogwang, the former state minister for ICT as Minister of State in the Office of the President (economic monitoring) and Rose Akello as state minister in charge of ethics and integrity, replacing Simon Lokodo.

Diana Mutasingwa Nankunda will be the new Minister of State, Office of the Vice-President.

The Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister will be Esther Divinia Anyakun (Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees), Grace Kwiyucwiny (Northern Uganda), Agnes Nandutu (Karamoja), Alice Kaboyo (Luwero Triangle-Rwenzori Region), Jennipher Namuyangu (Bunyoro Affairs), Dr. Ongalo Obote (Teso Affairs).

In the Agriculture Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Fred Bwiino Kyakulaga was appointed state minister agriculture, Bright Rwamirama (animal industry) and Hellen Adoa (fisheries).

Jackson Kafuuzi retained his Deputy Attorney Generals docket, Oboth Oboth appointed state minister for defence, Oleru Huda (veteran affairs), Magode Ikuya (State Minister for East African Affairs).

Dr John Chrysostom Muyingo retained his State Minister for Higher Education docket, together with Denis Obua Hamson (sports docket), while the new entrant was Dr. Joyce Kaducu Moriku (primary education).

In Ministry of Energy and Minerals Development, Sidronius Opolot Okasai is the new State Minister for Energy, while Peter Lokeris goes back to minerals.

In the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Evelyn Anite retained her position as State Minister Privatisation and Investment, together with Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo (Microfinance). New entrants included enry Musaasizi (general duties) and Amos Lugoloobi (planning).

In foreign affairs, Okello Oryem retained his position as State Minister International Affairs, while John Mulimba is the state minister in charge of regional affairs.

In the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Peace Mutuuzo retained her position as state minister gender and culture, while Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi is the new state minister youth and children affairs.

Okello Engola is the new state minister employment and industrial relations, while Hellen Asamo is the new state minister disability affairs. Gidudu Mafaabi is the new state minister elderly affairs.

In the Ministry of Health, Bangirana Kawoya is the new state minister general duties, while Margaret Muhanga is for primary health care.

In the Ministry of Information Communication Technology and National Guidance, Fformer Rubaga Division Forum for Democratic Change mayor Joyce Ssebugwawo is the state minister for national guidance.

The Chief of Defence Forces, David Muhoozi, is the new state minister for internal affairs. Grace Mary Mugasa is the new state minister for public service, while Martin Mugarra is the new Minister of State for Tourism.

Kabuye Kyofatogabye is the new Minister of State for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan.

In the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Persis Namuganza retained her docket as state minister for lands, Obiga Kania is the new state minister for urban development and Sam Mayanja for lands.

In the Ministry of Local Government, Victoria Rusoke is the new state minister for local government.

In the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Co-operatives, Fredrick Ngobi is the state minister co-operatives, David Bahati (co-operative), Harriet Ntabazi (trade).

In the Ministry of Water and Environment, Beatrice Anywar retained her position as state minister in charge of environment, while Aisha Ssekindi is state minister for water.

In the Ministry Works and Transport, Musa Ecweru is the state minister works, while Fred Byamukama is the state minister transport.

Richard Todwong is the new secretary general of the NRM, Rose Namayanja the new deputy secretary general and Nekesa Oundo the new national treasurer NRM.

All the new ministers will be vetted by Parliament’s appointments committee before they are sworn in.