For the first time, Bushenyi District has lost its ministerial representation in Tuesday’s cabinet reshuffle, marking a notable shift in the political balance of the district.
In exercising the powers granted to the Head of State under the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, specifically Articles 108(1) and (2), 108A(1), 111(1), 113(1), and 114(1), President Museveni announced a new cabinet in which he dropped Local Government Minister Raphael Magyezi and replaced him with Balaam Barugahara.
Magyezi, appointed Minister for Local Government in December 2019, was widely seen by some Ugandans as having been rewarded for his role in the removal of the presidential age limit from the Constitution.
With his experience in local governance, Magyezi had brought what many described as relative stability to the ministry. However, his exit in the latest reshuffle did not come as a surprise to some residents of Bushenyi, who point to internal political interference, rivalry, and struggles for dominance within the district.
Reliable sources in the district say that shortly after the January elections, a group of senior politicians from Bushenyi reportedly petitioned President Museveni, accusing Magyezi of promoting sectarian politics in Igara West Constituency and failing to actively mobilise support for the President.
The same group, according to the sources, also raised concerns about Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, accusing him of limited political influence in Mitooma District, where, they claimed, his preferred candidates have repeatedly lost elections, and of allegedly promoting religious-based politics.
Magyezi had been Bushenyi’s only cabinet minister. Previously, figures such as the late Mary Karoro Okurut and Professor Tarsis Kabwegyere were consistently represented in cabinet reshuffles, but observers say the district’s current lack of strong political cohesion and unified leadership has contributed to its diminished representation.
While Bushenyi has several prominent political figures, including businessman and NRM Central Executive Committee member Hassan Basajjabalaba, Igara East MP Michael Mawanda, NRM Women’s League CEC member Adrine Kobusingye, and NRM Implementation Director Willis Bashasha, none secured a cabinet position in the latest reshuffle.
Local observers say President Museveni may no longer view Bushenyi as a strong political base, citing internal divisions, competition among leaders, and shifting political dynamics compared to previous years when the district produced more consistent national-level figures.
In Greater Bushenyi, which comprises Sheema, Bushenyi, Mitooma, Buhweju, and Rubirizi districts, only Sheema and Mitooma retained ministerial representation.
Professor Ephraim Kamuntu, MP for Sheema South, was appointed Minister of Internal Affairs, while Kahinda Otafiire, MP for Ruhinda Central, retained his position as Minister for Water and Environment. While residents of Bushenyi, Buhweju, and Rubirizi expressed disappointment at being left out, some acknowledged that Kamuntu, Otafiire, and Thomas Tayebwa remain strong representatives at the national level.
Similarly, in Greater Mbarara, which includes Mbarara City, Mbarara District, Ibanda, Kiruhura, and Isingiro, only one minister, Bright Rwamirama, was retained as State Minister for Animal Husbandry.