KAMPALA, Uganda — President Yoweri Museveni’s new cabinet for the 2026–2031 term reflects a significant stride toward gender balance, with women securing several of the highest positions in government.
The lineup maintains high-level female representation from the executive apex down through key ministerial dockets, even as men continue to lead several strategic sectors.
At the very top of the government hierarchy, Vice President Jessica Rose Epel Alupo and Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja both retained their senior leadership positions. They are supported by Rebecca Kadaga as First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, and Lukia Nakadama, who serves as Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio.
Women also dominate the senior ranks of the executive cabinet, heading major ministries that drive national development and social service delivery. Janet Kataaha Museveni continues as Minister of Education and Sports, while Babirye Milly Babalanda heads the Ministry for the Presidency. Other key cabinet dockets led by women include Minsa Kabanda at Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Justine Kasule Lumumba as Government Chief Whip, and Dr. Monica Musenero Musanza at Energy and Mineral Development. Furthermore, Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero leads the Ministry of Information, Communications Technology and National Guidance, and Judith Nabakooba heads Lands, Housing and Urban Development.
This structural inclusion extends heavily into the junior ministerial ranks. Women have been heavily deployed as ministers of state across strategic sectors, including critical roles in national security, finance, and regional development.
In the Office of the President and the Prime Minister, female state ministers include Sandra Santa Alum (Economic Monitoring), Rose Akello (Ethics and Integrity), Diana Nankunda Mutasingwa (Vice President’s Office), Lillian Aber (Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees), Beatrice Akello (Northern Uganda), Esther Davinia Anyakun (Karamoja), Alice Kaboyo (Luwero Triangle-Rwenzori), and Grace Mary Mugasa (Bunyoro Affairs).
In defense, trade, and infrastructure-related sectors, women took up key oversight roles, including Grace Ngabirano Akifeza (State Minister for Defence), Huda Oleru (Veteran Affairs), Phyllis Chemutai (Primary Education), Phiona Nyamutoro (Minerals), Cissy Mulondo (Finance, General Duties), Amina Mukalazi (Privatization and Investment), and Shartsi Kutesa Musherure (Micro-Finance).
Other notable state minister appointments include Mary Kamuli Kuteesa (Gender and Culture), Mercy Faith Lakisa (Youth and Children), Joyce Okeny Acan (Disability), Jacqueline Mbabazi (Elderly), Anifa Bangirana Kawooya (Health, General Duties), Joyce Ssebugwawo (ICT, Information), Persis Namuganza (Housing), Margaret Muhanga Mugisa (Urban Development), Harriet Ntabazi (Lands), Justine Nameere (Local Government), Lydia Wanyoto Mutende (Public Service), Susan Nsambu Nakawuki (Tourism), Beatrice Anywar (Environment), and Aisha Sekkindi (Water). Ruth Nankabirwa and Evelyn Anite were also named as Senior Presidential Advisors.
The appointments underscore a growing female presence in executive decision-making, placing women in charge of influential portfolios that directly impact policy execution. However, men continue to head several ministries traditionally viewed as core centers of state power, including security, finance, infrastructure, foreign affairs, and internal affairs.
Political observers note that Uganda’s constitutional commitment to affirmative action remains the driving factor behind the steady rise of female leadership. Under Museveni’s tenure, the country has consistently placed women in top state positions to help shape national policy.
The new cabinet structure is expected to renew public debate on whether Uganda is achieving genuine gender parity in leadership, or if women remain underrepresented in the most critical decision-making spaces.
