KAMPALA, Uganda — President Yoweri Museveni has delivered a sweeping cabinet realignment, dropping some of the most enduring veterans of his administration while elevating a new crop of leaders to key ministries in an executive restructuring that has sent shockwaves through the political landscape.
The restructuring marks a definitive political heartbreak for several long-serving stalwarts who were omitted from the frontline cabinet roster. Most notably, Matia Kasaija has been removed from the national treasury, ending his multi-year tenure as the overseer of the country’s economic policy. Joining him on the sidelines is Major General Jeje Odongo, who was dropped from the high-profile Foreign Affairs docket, and veteran First Deputy Prime Minister General Moses Ali, whose long presence in the top tiers of the executive has come to an end. Other notable exits from the frontline lineup include former Local Government Minister Raphael Magyezi and Water and Environment Minister Sam Cheptoris.
In stark contrast to these high-profile exits, the new lineup brings massive promotions for a select group of younger administrators, politicians, and diplomats. Henry Musasizi has been elevated to full Cabinet Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, stepping directly into the powerful position vacated by his former supervisor, Kasaija.
The strategic Foreign Affairs docket will now be led by Ambassador Adonia Ayebare. Known for his extensive diplomatic work as Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ayebare’s elevation to substantive Foreign Affairs Minister signals a direct, expert-led approach to the country’s global relations.
The infrastructure sector also features a major succession story. Fred Byamukama, who previously served as the minister of state for transport, has achieved a major career milestone. He has been promoted to full cabinet rank as the new Minister of Works and Transport, taking over the ministry from General Katumba Wamala, who has been reassigned to lead the Ministry of Public Service.
In the legal and security sectors, Kiryowa Kiwanuka leaves his role as Attorney General to become the Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, taking over from Jacob Oboth-Oboth. To fill the vacancy at the helm of government legal affairs, Sam Mayanja has been proposed as the new Attorney General. Meanwhile, Major General Kahinda Otafiire has been moved from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to lead the Ministry of Water and Environment, with Professor Ephraim Kamuntu returning to the front bench to take over the Internal Affairs docket.
The shake-up has also repositioned prominent political managers. Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga marks a significant return to the executive center, named as the Second Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament. Balaam Barugahara has secured a major elevation, moving from his state minister role to full cabinet rank as the Minister of Local Government, replacing Tom Butime, who transfers to Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities.
A technical restructuring was also implemented across the health and communications dockets through a direct portfolio swap. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero leaves the Ministry of Health to take over the Ministry of Information, Communications Technology and National Guidance. Concurrently, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi vacates the ICT docket to assume total leadership of the Ministry of Health.
In parliamentary coordination, Justine Kasule Lumumba shifts from general duties in the Office of the Prime Minister to the position of Government Chief Whip, taking over from Hamson Obua. Obua, along with other transitioning cabinet veterans including Ruth Nankabirwa, Francis Mwebesa, and Evelyn Anite, will now serve as senior presidential advisors. Dr. Kenneth Omona also exits his frontline state minister role to transition into the diplomatic service as an ambassador.
Meanwhile, amidst the widespread changes that dismantled several established portfolios, First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga managed to secure her position. Kadaga has been maintained in her powerful role, continuing to look after East African Community Affairs and reinforcing her standing as one of the key pillars of continuity within the altered executive structure alongside Vice President Jessica Rose Epel Alupo and Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja.
The comprehensive list of nominees has been forwarded to the Appointments Committee of Parliament, where lawmakers will conduct the mandatory vetting and confirmation hearings before the new administration can officially take office.
