By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
ENTEBBE
President Museveni on Monday hosted a farewell luncheon at State House Entebbe for the outgoing Cabinet, praising the team for steering Uganda into the much-coveted lower middle-income status during their five-year tenure.
The event marks the beginning of the transition into the President’s seventh term in office, following his victory in the January 2026 general elections where he secured 72 percent of the vote.
Addressing the 82 ministers, the President described the attainment of middle-income status as a “historic milestone” that was made possible through collective discipline and commitment to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) manifesto.
“This milestone reflects our collective effort and the discipline of this team in prioritizing socio-economic transformation,” Mr. Museveni said. “The outcome of the recent electoral process was a collective achievement, and I am confident that the momentum of economic growth will be sustained in the coming term.”
Despite the celebratory mood, the President issued a stern reminder regarding the conduct of public officials. He emphasized that the next phase of governance would require “strong ethical leadership,” calling for a renewed commitment to integrity, accountability and patriotism.
The outgoing Cabinet was inaugurated in June 2021. While it originally consisted of 83 members (32 Cabinet Ministers and 51 Ministers of State), the number dropped to 82 following the death of Sarah Mateke, the former Kisoro District Woman MP and State Minister for Defence, in September 2024.
Constitutional Mandate
As the current administration’s mandate expires ahead of the May 12 inauguration, all eyes are now on the President’s next move. Under Articles 108 and 113 of the Constitution, the President holds the sole authority to nominate his Cabinet.
While Section 111 allows the President to appoint a number of ministers he deems necessary for “efficient government,” these nominees must undergo vetting by the Parliamentary Appointments Committee, chaired by the Speaker of Parliament.
The practice of appointing ministers from among elected Members of Parliament (MPs) remains a point of debate among political analysts. Currently, those appointed from outside the House serve as ex-officio members, attending sessions and contributing to debate but barred from voting on critical House matters.
The Road to May 12
The dissolution of the current Cabinet coincides with the end of the 11th Parliament. Following his swearing-in on May 12, President Museveni is expected to name a new team that will serve until 2031.
Insiders suggest that while the President valued the “historic role” of the outgoing team, the emphasis on “renewed integrity” signals a potential shake-up as he seeks to cement his legacy in the new term.
The outgoing administration was rocked by high profile corruption scandals and international diplomatic frictions, like the the Karamoja iron sheets (mabaati) scandal, which implicated several top-tier officials, including Vice President Jessica Alupo and Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja.
Beyond domestic corruption, the outgoing Cabinet faces a cloud of international isolation. Several high-ranking members are currently grappling with international sanctions imposed by the UK and US governments. These penalties were triggered by allegations of; Gross Human Rights Violations, linked to the crackdown on political dissent and security operations, and Public Sector Graft, with targeted sanctions against officials accused of pocketing resources meant for the poor.
Political analysts argue that the inclusion of “tainted” individuals in the next Cabinet could hamper Uganda’s diplomatic relations and foreign investment.
“The President’s emphasis on accountability at State House is a clear nod to the baggage this Cabinet has carried,” says Ngabirano, a political commentator. “To start the new term with a clean slate, he will have to decide whether to stick with his loyal veterans or purge those identified with the iron sheets saga and global sanctions.”
