How regions shared the national cake in cabinet reshuffles: Buganda takes lion's share

Yesterday, President Museveni made changes to his cabinet after more than three years of running the government with the same ministers.

Whereas he retained the first five people at the top, Museveni made a few changes at the bottom, dropping Energy Minister Irene Muloni and Works Minister Monica Ntege Azuba.

Also notably dropped is State Minister for ICT Idah Nantaba, who has been playing on the wrong side of the fence ever since her embroidery in a shooting debacle.

Museveni’s new cabinet does not come with a lot of change in two aspects; age and regional composition. Nonetheless, it is important to note that these are factors citizenry consider a lot because it explains to them how close the cake is.

Notwithstanding, President Museveni has time and again argued that the politics of development is free from sectarianism and divisions along tribal or regional lines. It goes without saying though, that it would be completely impossible to eliminate certain aspects in cabinet selection.

Nile Post looks at the regional composition of the new cabinet. We, however, would like to indicate that the publication does not in any way fan tribal or regional conflict based on the same.

Buganda

Buganda takes 33.9 percent of the Uganda cake, for its 18 ministers in the 53 shortlist released by Museveni yesterday. However, 8 of the ministers are in junior positions while only two of them are in senior advisory positions.

This leaves Buganda region with eight (8) senior positions namely: The Vice President, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, ICT Minister Judith Nabakooba, Minister of Trade Amelia Kyambadde, The Minister for Agriculture Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja, Minister for Public Service Muruli Mukasa and Lands Minister Beti Olive Namisango Kamya not forgetting Gen Katumba Wamala in the Works Ministry and the Chief whip Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu.

Buganda also takes the lion's share of the education ministry with both the Minister for Higher Education, Chrysostom Muyingo and Minister for primary education Rose Mary Sseninde retaining their positions.

The ministers and advisors from Buganda include; Godrey Kiwanda (Tourism), Namugwanya Benah (Kampala), Haruna Kasolo (Microfinance), Galabuzi Ssozi ( Luwero), Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi (Children), Janat Mukwaya and Abdul Nadduli who are now senior advisors.

There is not theory, because of the 15 people only two are new faces. This means that even before, Buganda was on the biggest sharer of the national cake.

Busoga

Busoga takes 16.9 percent of the government cake with nine (9) ministers on the new cabinet. Out of the 8, one (Monica Ntege Azuba) is an advisory role, leaving the list with seven (8).

On the eight positions remaining, two are cabinet positions. These include; Kirunda Kivejinja as a second Prime Minister and minister without a portfolio, as well as Esther Mbayo Mbulakubuza, the minister for Presidency.

The rest that includes; Moses Kizige (Karamoja), Gume Ngobi (Cooperatives), Isaac Musumba (Urban development), Aggrey Bagiire (Agriculture) and Persis Namuganza (Lands).

Western

The Western region accounts for 28.3 percent of the national cake due to the 15 positions they have on the new cabinet list. However, among the 14 positions is the President and the First Lady.

In some instances, Minister Ronald Kibuule passes as a westerner, which would bring the number up to 16 positions and make the percentage 30 percent, hence second to Buganda region.

Also technically by fact that Kibuule is an MP for Mukono which is in Buganda, and his name is for Baganda, he can still pass as a Muganda, which takes Buganda to 19 cabinet positions and about 35% of the national cake.

Western takes ten (11) full cabinet positions including President, Minister of Education and Sports (Janet Museveni), General Duties (Karoro Busingye Okurut), East African Affairs(Otafire), Security (Gen Tumwine), Foreign Affairs (Sam Kutesa), Local Government (Raphael Magyezi), Justice (Ephraim Kamuntu), Karamoja Affairs (John Byabagambi), gender (Frank Tumwebaze) Science and Technology ( Elioda Tumwesigye).

This means that only four ministers from West are in deputy positions and these include; Museveni’s former Principle Private Secretary Molly Kamukama (Minister for Economic Monitoring), Joy Kabatsi (Minister of State for Transport), Mwesigwa Rukutana (Minister of State for Labor) and Bright Rwamirama (Ministry of State of Veterinary Affairs).

The West competes with Buganda, and while the latter has bigger numbers in the cabinet, the former has ‘bigger’ numbers.

Tooro/Bunyoro

The region of Tooro, Bunyoro also takes over Kasese. And these account for 16.9 percent of the national cake courtesy of their 9 positions in the cabinet.

These have four full cabinet positions namely: The Attorney general (William Byaruhanga), Minister of Defence (Adolf Mwesigye), Minister for Finance (Matia Kasaijja), and Minister of Tourism (Tom Butime).

This leaves them with five deputy positions namely: Minister of State for Bunyoro Affairs (Ernest Kiiza), Minister of State for Veteran Affairs (Christopher Kibazanga), Robinah Nabbanjja (health general duties), Attorney General (Jackson Kafuzi), Minister of State for Public Service (David Karubanga) and State Minister for Culture (Peace Mutuuzo).

It is also important to note that the office of the Attorney General has both ministers from the same region of Tooro.

North

The northern region accounts for 18.8 percent of the National cake, this is courtesy of their 10 ministers in the cabinet.

The ten include full cabinet ministers Jeje Abubaker Odongo (Internal Affairs), Hilary Onek (Refugees) Betty Amongi (Kampala Affairs), and Aceng Ruth (Health), all amounting to four positions.

The remaining six are in deputy positions namely: Kwiyuucwiny Grace (Nothern Uganda Minister), Obua Hamson (Sports), Engola Okello (Minister of State for Defence), Oryem Okello (Foreign affairs State minister), Evelyn Anite (Privatization), and Beatrice Anywar (Environment).

Bukedi

The region of Bukedi that could include, Busamia, Budama, and Bugisu areas accounts for 9.4 percent of the national cake with only five (5) of the 53 ministers in the cabinet.

These include newly appointed energy minister (Mary Kitutu Kimono), Maganda Julius Wandera (State Minister for East African Affairs), Kabafusa Werikhe Michael (State Minister for Trade), Cheptoris Sam (cabinet minister for water), Jenniffer Namuyangu (Local Government) and Achieng Sarah Opendi. Only two positions are full cabinet.

The other key factor to note here is that Budama, Samia, Bugwere, Sebei, and Bigisu are all represented.

Kigezi

KIgezi region accounts for 9.4% of the national cake because of its five ministers in the new cabinet. These include a full position in the Prime Minister’s office while the remaining four are junior ministers.

The junior ministers include; Kasirivu Baltazah Atwoki (Vice President’s office), Philemon Mateke (regional affairs), David Bahati (Planning), and Chris Baryomunsi (Housing).

West Nile

The West Nile region accounts for 9.4 percent of the national cake as well. This is because of their five positions in the cabinet.

The five positions include; Second Deputy Prime Minister Moses Ali, State Minister for Internal Affairs Obiga Kania, State Minister for Finance Gabriel Aridru Adjedra, Minister of State for Energy Simon D’ujanga and Minister for Primary Health Care, Joyce Moriku Kaducu.

Teso

Teso region accounts for 7.4 percent of the national cake due to their four (4) ministers. These include; Peter Ogwang (state minister for ICT), Musa Ecweru (State Minister for Disaster Preparedness), Adoa Hellen (Minister of State for Fisheries) and one full position for Teso affairs under Agnes Akiror.

Karamoja region

Karamoja region stands at 3.7 percent due to their two ministers; Sam Lokeris (State Minister for Works) and Simon Lokodo (Minister for Ethics and Integrity).