Museveni Chairs Final ‘Fishermen’ Cabinet Meeting Ahead of Inauguration

By Skika Reporter

President Yoweri Museveni on Monday chaired the final Cabinet meeting of his current term at State House, marking the close of a five-year administration and setting the stage for his upcoming swearing-in on May 12.

The meeting, attended by members of the outgoing Cabinet, was followed by a luncheon hosted by the President in appreciation of their service. In a message shared after the session, Mr Museveni credited the team with steering Uganda toward middle-income status and commended the Cabinet Secretariat for managing government business.

“This is the Cabinet that ushered Uganda into middle-income status,” he said, thanking ministers for their contribution to the country’s economic progress.

Reflecting on the ‘Fishermen’ Cabinet

Addressing ministers, Mr Museveni revisited his 2021 decision to appoint what he described as a “Cabinet of Fishermen,” a team largely composed of loyalists drawn from modest backgrounds rather than seasoned political heavyweights. At the time, he argued that such individuals were more connected to ordinary citizens and easier to align with government priorities.

The Monday meeting doubled as a review of the Cabinet’s performance, with emphasis placed on economic transformation policies pursued during the term. Key among these were industrialisation efforts and the Parish Development Model (PDM), a flagship programme aimed at integrating millions of households into the money economy.

“We have laid the foundation,” Mr Museveni told ministers, expressing confidence that the country remains on course toward sustainable growth.

Focus on Economic Growth and Stability

Throughout the meeting, the President maintained an optimistic outlook on Uganda’s economic trajectory, pointing to relative political stability and the emerging oil sector as critical drivers of growth. While debates have persisted between the government and institutions such as the World Bank over when Uganda will officially meet the middle-income income threshold, Mr Museveni insisted progress has been steady.

He also credited the Cabinet for maintaining focus on domestic production despite global economic disruptions in recent years.

Vice President Jessica Alupo and Prime Minister Robina Nabbanja were among the senior government officials present at the meeting and subsequent luncheon.

Transition and Cabinet Speculation

With the current Cabinet set to dissolve ahead of the new term, attention is turning to the composition of the next administration. Political observers are closely watching whether Mr Museveni will retain the populist “fishermen” approach or shift toward a more technocratic Cabinet in the 2026–2031 term.

For now, the President signaled continuity, reiterating his long-standing goal of transforming Uganda into a modern, competitive middle-income economy.

Election Context

Mr Museveni, leader of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), was declared winner of the January 15 presidential election, securing 71.65 percent of the vote. His main challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu of the National Unity Platform (NUP), received 24.72 percent.

The election outcome remains contested, with opposition figures alleging widespread irregularities, including voter intimidation and ballot-stuffing. The polls were conducted under tight security and a nationwide internet blackout, with reports of violence in the pre-election period.

While observers from the African Union described the चुनाव as largely peaceful, they noted concerns over intimidation, while critics, including some international actors, questioned the credibility of the process.

Despite the controversy, the results extend Mr Museveni’s rule to a seventh elective term, further solidifying his position as one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.