Presidents Pierre Nkurunziza (Burundi), Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania), Uhuru
Kenyatta (Kenya), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda) and Paul Kagame (Rwanda) at
the East African Community Heads of State Summit in Nairobi. PHOTO |
JEFF ANGOTE
By GAAKI KIGAMBO Special Correspondent
In Summary
- Political observers pointed out that Frank Tumwebaze, whom Museveni appointed Minister in-charge of the Presidency, and Richard Todwong, the new Minister without Portfolio in-charge of Political Mobilisation, are associated with a parliamentary group that is rallying colleagues to support the incumbent for another go at the presidency in 2016.
- The same close association is true of Rosemary Najjemba Muyinda, the new Minister of State for Urban Development, and Aidah Nantaba, the new Minister of State for Lands.
- These are four of the nine new entrants. Others are Ernest Kiiza, Minister of State for Bunyoro Affairs; Sarah Kataike Ndoboli; Minister of State for Health (General); Shem Bageine, Minister of State for East African Affairs; Gabriel Gadison Ajera Aridru, Minister of State for Investment; and Opendi Ochieng Sarah; Minister of State for Primary Health Care.
President Yoweri Museveni sent the clearest
signal yet that he intends to contest the presidency for the fifth time
through the new faces he introduced in the Cabinet in last week’s
reshuffle.
Political observers pointed out that Frank
Tumwebaze, whom Museveni appointed Minister in-charge of the Presidency,
and Richard Todwong, the new Minister without Portfolio in-charge of
Political Mobilisation, are associated with a parliamentary group that
is rallying colleagues to support the incumbent for another go at the
presidency in 2016.
The EastAfrican has been told the group is gaining a growing following and could soon take its campaign to the road.
To improve its importance, Todwong’s ministry has
been revised and given a specific role. Previously, it was simply a
ministry without portfolio —its holder didn’t have any specific docket
to attend to on a daily basis.
Both Tumwebaze and Todwong have been closely associated with President Museveni as research assistant and advisor respectively.
Tumwebaze in particular has also been a resident
district commissioner before. RDCs are thought of as the president’s
direct representatives in the district.
The same close association is true of Rosemary
Najjemba Muyinda, the new Minister of State for Urban Development, and
Aidah Nantaba, the new Minister of State for Lands.
Najjemba has previously worked as a political
assistant in the president’s office while Nantaba is closely linked with
State House.
These are four of the nine new entrants. Others
are Ernest Kiiza, Minister of State for Bunyoro Affairs; Sarah Kataike
Ndoboli; Minister of State for Health (General); Shem Bageine, Minister
of State for East African Affairs; Gabriel Gadison Ajera Aridru,
Minister of State for Investment; and Opendi Ochieng Sarah; Minister of
State for Primary Health Care.
This list of new ministers does not include former
minister Tarsis Kabwegyere, who bounced back as the Minister of Gender,
Labour & Social affairs.
It also does not include the trio of Sam Kutesa,
John Nasasira, and Mwesigwa Rukutana who once “stepped aside” to clear
their names of corruption allegations by the Inspectorate of Government.
Although Kutesa and Rukutana retained their
dockets – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of State for Labour,
Employment and Industrial Relations respectively – Nasasira was moved to
the Ministry in Charge of General Duties/Office of the Prime Minister.
“Their appointments tell us about the preparations
for 2016,” noted Godber Tumushabe, executive director of Advocates
Coalition for Development and Environment.
“The president needed to overhaul the entire
Cabinet,” noted Emmanuel Kitamirike, the executive director of the
Uganda Youth Network.
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