Politics 31 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Busoga Ministers Tasked with Youth Jobs, Asset Recovery, and University Revival
Newly appointed ministers from Uganda's Busoga sub-region face high expectations from residents and stakeholders to prioritize youth employment, infrastructure, education, and the return of cultural assets. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/stakeholders-set-priorities-for-busoga-s-five-newly-appointed-ministers-5479912
The recent appointment of five ministers from the Busoga sub-region to Uganda’s Cabinet has ignited a wave of optimism and a clear set of demands from local leaders and residents. The expectation is that these appointments will translate into tangible development and address long-standing issues that have hindered progress in the region.
Key priorities highlighted include the urgent need to boost youth employment, with calls for the establishment of industrial parks and increased government funding for Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) to support boda boda riders and other entrepreneurs. Stakeholders are also pushing for the operationalization and legal recognition of Busoga University, which they believe is crucial for unlocking educational and economic opportunities.
Significant attention is also being placed on the recovery of Busoga Kingdom’s assets, which were controversially taken over by the government decades ago. Leaders emphasize that a coordinated approach by the new ministers is essential to lobby for the return of these assets, a matter that has seen slow progress due to fragmented efforts in the past.
Furthermore, infrastructure development, particularly the improvement of roads leading to tourist sites, is on the agenda, recognizing tourism’s growing potential as a revenue source. Farmers, especially sugarcane outgrowers, are urging the ministers to ensure the enforcement of a government-backed minimum sugarcane price to stabilize incomes and reduce poverty.
Echoing the sentiment of many, former officials and opposition figures have welcomed the appointments, urging the ministers to serve with integrity and focus on practical solutions. The significant representation of women in these ministerial roles has also been noted as historic and places a unique emphasis on their contributions to the region’s future. The success of these ministers is seen as vital for Busoga’s development and political stability.