Politics 27 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Museveni Executes Major Cabinet Shake-up, Dropping 29 Ministers
President Yoweri Museveni has conducted one of the most significant cabinet reshuffles in recent years, removing 29 ministers and signaling a potential shift in focus and a push for generational renewal. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/museveni-carries-out-most-brutal-cabinet-cull-in-years-5476084
President Yoweri Museveni has significantly altered his line-up of ministers, with 29 individuals losing their positions in a recent cabinet reshuffle. This extensive overhaul is being described as one of the most substantial in at least fifteen years, marking a notable change to the President’s executive team.
The reshuffle has introduced several new faces to the cabinet, while many long-serving ministers have been sidelined. This move is interpreted by many as an indication of a renewed emphasis on generational change and addressing the needs of Uganda’s younger population.
Among the notable departures is Moses Ali, who has a long political history, having served as Minister for Finance as far back as 1973. Also exiting the cabinet is Matia Kasaija, another octogenarian.
Previous cabinet changes by President Museveni include dropping 39 ministers between 2011 and 2016 across three reshuffles. In the lead-up to the 2021 cabinet, an additional 45 ministers were removed over three reshuffles starting in 2016. The most recent reshuffle contrasts with the relative stability seen in the current term, where the cabinet remained largely consistent over its five-year duration, with only minor alterations in 2024.
Observers suggest that this prior stability might explain the magnitude of the current shake-up. Out of those dropped, only Moses Ali and Gen (rtd) Abubaker Jeje Odongo had retained their parliamentary seats. However, Odongo’s position was complicated by running as an independent after losing the NRM party flag.
President Museveni has also issued a stern warning, indicating that further changes could occur if ministers fail to demonstrate progress in implementing the NRM’s development agenda. He stated that failure to ensure the prosperity of their constituents would lead to dismissal. This underscores the expectation that ministers must now actively contribute to the development of their home regions.