Why Kadaga, 15 ministers missed swearing-in ceremony

At least 15 ministers did not take their oath as ministers yesterday after some were exposed to possible Covid-19 infection.

Others were unable to attend due to illness.

According to the guidelines from the State House, attendees were supposed to test and present negative Covid-19 results before attending the event.

Those who missed the swearing-in ceremony are; Rebecca Kadaga,the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Affairs; Babirye Milly Babalanda, the Minister for Presidency; Kiryowa Kiwanuka, the Attorney-General; the minister of Public Service, Muruli Mukasa; Foreign Affairs State Minister in Charge of Regional Affairs, John Mulimba; the Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness & Refugees, Hilary Onek; Judith Nabakooba, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and Dr. Monica Musenero the Minister in the Office of the President.

Others were: Evelyn Anite, the Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (Privatization and Investment); the Minister of State for Health (Primary Health Care) Margaret Muhanga; the Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs (Veteran Affairs)Huda Olaro; Fred Kyakulaga, the minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (Agriculture); Henry Okello Oryem, the minister of State for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs) and Victoria Rusoke, the Minister of State for Local Government.

Anite, through her Social Media platforms, attached her negative Covid-19 certificate indicating that she was not suffering from the virus, explaining that she was unable to attend the function because one of her support staff tested positive.

Alice Kaboyo who was appointed the State Minister for Luweero Triangle also did not attend the swearing in ceremony after the Appointments Committee rejected her appointment.

Kaboyo’s appointment was rejected after the committee found out that she had earlier in 2012 pleaded guilty to abuse of office in the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) case.

The event was conducted in a “scientific” way as a means of curbing and containing the spread of Covid-19 and all participants, including journalists that covered the ceremony had to be tested.