President Yoweri Museveni has dropped 11 Cabinet ministers for the 2021/2026 term.
On Tuesday night, the President surprised many when he named former Education Minister Jesicca Alupo, his new Vice President, breaking the norm of a Muganda Catholic taking the seat as has always been.
Alupo replaces Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, who has not been assigned any role in Cabinet. Ssekandi also lost his Member of Parliament seat in the January 14th election.
The Cabinet list issued on Tuesday night has 32 cabinet ministers and 50 state ministers.
Alupo, also Katakwi woman takes the seat from Ssekandi, who has been vice president for 10 years. In another surprising appointment, the President chose Kakumiro Woman MP, Robinah Nabbanja as Prime Minister, replacing Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda who has been in this position since 2014. Rugunda now becomes a Senior Presidential Adviser
Nabbanja has been serving as the State Minister for Health and is said to have done a great job of mobilization. Meanwhile, Esther Mbayo lost her slot as the minister in charge of the presidency. Miriam Babalanda now takes over.
Also, Gen Ely Tumwine- who has been serving as Security Minister since 2018 has been replaced with Maj. Gen Jim Muhwezi, the Rujumbura Member of Parliament. Tumwine becomes senior presidential adviser on Security.
Former NRM Secretary General, Justine Kasule Lumumba has replaced Mary Karoro Okurut in the position of Minister for General Duties in the Prime Minister’s Office, while Mary Goretti Kitutu, replaces Eng. John Byabagambi as Minister for Karamoja. Kitutu has been serving as the Minister of Energy.
The President’s personal lawyer, Kiryowa Kiwanuka is now Attorney General, taking over from William Byaruhanga while, Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja who has been the minister for Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries has replaced Adolf Mwesige as Minister of Defense.
Sam Kutesa Kahamba, the long-serving Minister of Foreign Affairs – is not part of this cabinet as Gen. Jeje Odongo who has been the Internal Affairs Minister takes over.
Also, the former minister in charge of ICT and the National Guidance Judith Nabakooba, becomes minister of Lands Housing and Urban Development replacing Beti Olive Kamya who is now senior presidential advisor on Land.
Minister of Trade Industry and Cooperatives Amelia Kyambadde has also been dropped as Francis Mwebesa takes over.