Museveni Cabinet – Service delivery or political appeasement?

As widely expected, Byandala, who is battling court cases over alleged theft of UNRA money, has been dropped while his former junior minister Byabagambi, has been put in charge of the ministry for Karamoja affairs, replacing First Lady Janet Museveni. Byabagambi recently clashed with UNRA Boss Allen Kagina over road contracts. Byandala also recently caused uproar when he slapped a female journalist.

In what is being seen as an attempt to extend an olive branch to the Opposition, Museveni has appointed three ministers from opposition parties (apart from the Forum for Democratic Change), in a move analysts say is aimed at enhancing inclusiveness in the country’s polity.

Uganda Federal Alliance President Beti Kamya has been appointed as Minister for Kampala, despite losing the Lubaga South seat in the election. Also, UPC’s Oyam South MP BettyAmongi has been named minister of lands, housing and urban development.

The fact that Amongi is wife to UPC President James Akena makes it an even more surprising appointment. Similarly, Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi, a staunch DP politician and former minister in the Buganda Kingdom, has also been appointed as state minister for youth and children affairs.

These appointments are a repeat of what happened in 1986 when NRM had just captured power whenMuseveni invited Paul Ssemogerere, who was then the leader of the parliamentary opposition from 1981-1985, into Cabinet as minister of internal affairs, foreign affairs and public service. He held the positions for 10 years.

However, Prof. Ogenga Latigo, theAgago CountyMP, toldThe Independent that Museveni’s so called inclusion of opposition in Cabinet is really not what it will take to solve the country’s political challenges. The Cabinet comes at a time when Opposition leader Kizza Besigye, Museveni’s archrival, is currently in prison after being charged with treason. “The challenge is not inclusion; it is an outcome of a polity.A polity uses inclusion for problems it has failed to address. They find inclusion in ‘at least’, we also have a minister.’ But howwill you address disparities in education, health among other? Latigo asked.

He added that the idea of appointing Amongin to the ministry of lands is about appeasing the people of Lango sub region as one of their sons Omara Atubo who also once the minister of lands.

Generally, Latigo reasoned that looking at the new Cabinet, renewing confidence in investors, enhancing productivity, making critical land reforms, use of land maximally, stabilising the country, planning for the future of Uganda, remains far cry from these appointments.

The First Lady, who earlier said she had quit politics and did not contest in the election, replaces Jessica Alupo as education and sports minister. Alupo was dropped after losing her parliamentary seat in the election.

Though the First Lady largely succeeded as minister of Karamoja where she was fondly referred to as ‘Mother’, Latigo was not optimistic about her performance at the education ministry.

“In my view, that portfolio should have gone to someone like Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire. At least he would be more decisive; he is also more accessible. But now, how are the ordinary people going to access the minister of education who is also the First Lady?” he asked. Museveni dropped 35 ministers including John Nasasira and Shem Bageine following their own request to be left to rest.

He also created and merged some of the ministries. For instance, the defence ministry is to take charge of veterans affairs, and will be headed byAdolf Mwesigye who was moved from the local government docket.

Another surprise pick was that of Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, who previously fell out with the president but comes in for the first time as minister for security. He replaces Mary Karooro Okurut who was moved to the Office of the Prime Minister as minister in charge of general duties.

RoseAkol, who replaced the late Gen. Aronda Nyakairima as minister of internal affairs, was also ditched after barely six months in the job. Former Army Commander Gen. Jeje Odong is now taking up the docket in what is being seen as an attempt by Museveni to continue keeping the Opposition at bay with an army general in charge.

The ministries of information and national guidance and that of information and communication technology were merged to create one ministry of information, ICT, and communication, to be headed by Frank Tumwebaze, who will definitely take a sigh of relief after being moved from the Kampala Capital City Authority portfolio. This could help to solve the problem of duplication and lack of focus on the sector. The government has also created the new ministry of science, technology and innovations but Prof. Tichodri-Togboa will not be part of it because he was dropped from the Cabinet after a short stint.

What now remains is for the appointees to face Speaker Rebecca Kadaga’s Appointments Committee for vetting and some of the MPs including former Luwero LCV Chairman Nadduli (minister without portfolio) will be hoping that the MPs won’t be too hard.

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Reported by Isaac Khisa, Ian Katusiime & Flavia Nassaka