New Cabinet Members to Be Sworn In on Monday
By Skika Reporter
President Yoweri Museveni is expected to swear in newly appointed Cabinet ministers and ministers of state on Monday, June 8, at State House Entebbe, officially ushering in the executive team that will serve during the 2026–2031 term.
The Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, Lucy Nakyobe, confirmed that the ceremony will begin at 8:00 am, after which the ministers will immediately assume their duties.
“The President will swear in Cabinet tomorrow morning at State House, Entebbe, starting at 8am. They will thereafter start their work immediately,” Nakyobe said.
President Museveni unveiled his new Cabinet lineup on May 26, retaining Vice President Jessica Alupo and Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja in their respective positions.
The reshuffle introduced several notable changes, including the exit of long-serving Finance Minister Matia Kasaija. Former Minister Balaam Barugahara was appointed Minister for Local Government, businessman Sanjay Tanna was named Minister of Trade, while Gen. Katumba Wamala was assigned the Public Service docket.
The 81-member Cabinet comprises 41 men and 40 women, reflecting near gender parity in government appointments.
The swearing-in follows Parliament’s approval of adjustments to Cabinet limits under the Constitution, allowing for 30 Cabinet ministers and 51 ministers of state.
Last week, Parliament’s Appointments Committee concluded the vetting of most ministerial nominees. However, two appointees did not complete the process: Minister of Education and Sports Janet Kataha Museveni and newly appointed Minister of State for Internal Affairs Dr. Lawrence Muganga.
While the reasons for Mrs Museveni’s absence from the vetting process remain unclear, Dr. Muganga, who previously served as Vice Chancellor of Victoria University, was rejected by the committee over concerns relating to his citizenship status.
The development leaves uncertainty over who will occupy the State Minister for Internal Affairs position, as any replacement would require fresh nomination, vetting, and approval by Parliament before taking office.
The Cabinet formation process also witnessed a series of last-minute changes.
Initially, President Museveni transferred Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Information, Communications Technology and National Guidance, replacing Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, who was moved to the Health Ministry.
However, ahead of the vetting process, the President made another adjustment, appointing Dr. Aceng as Government Chief Whip in Parliament, replacing Justine Kasule Lumumba.
Lumumba was subsequently reassigned to the ICT Ministry.
The reshuffle followed concerns that Lumumba, who was not a serving Member of Parliament, had been appointed to a position that legally requires parliamentary representation, prompting the need for a correction before the appointments were formally considered.
With the swearing-in ceremony set for Monday, attention now turns to the new Cabinet’s agenda as it begins implementing government programmes and priorities for the next five years.
