State Minister-designate for Microfinance, Shartsi Musherure Kutesa, has pledged to prioritize grassroots economic empowerment and financial inclusion across Ugandan households.
Speaking to journalists at Parliament after appearing before the Appointments Committee chaired by Speaker Jacob Oboth-Oboth on Tuesday, the former Mawogola North Member of Parliament said she would focus on strengthening national wealth creation initiatives aimed at driving broad-based economic growth.
“Among many things, my mandate is that continue to push for the wealth creation initiatives championed by President Museveni that have worked well but could of course do better. I’m looking at the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, Financial Inclusion, Accessibility, Affordability of financing,” she said.
“All these dockets are in my sphere and I intend to work hard with my line ministry to make sure we fulfill the expectations of Ugandans and I believe we shall do a good job.”
Musherure said her focus would be on improving access to financial services and ensuring government programmes designed to uplift household incomes deliver greater impact at the grassroots level.
Born to former State Minister for Internal Affairs Sam Kutesa, Musherure is the twin sister of Charlotte Kainerugaba, wife of Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Musherure's political career has been closely associated with the Mawogola North parliamentary seat.
During the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries ahead of the 2021 general elections, she was defeated by President Yoweri Museveni's younger brother, Godfrey Aine Kaguta, popularly known as Sodo.
The outcome was contested by Musherure, prompting the NRM Electoral Commission to direct both candidates to contest the election as independents.
A day before the 2021 general election, Sodo withdrew from the race following consultations involving his family and President Museveni, paving the way for Musherure's candidacy.
Musherure subsequently won the parliamentary seat in the general election.
Ahead of the 2026 elections, however, she stepped aside before the NRM primaries and endorsed Sodo as the party's candidate.
She said the decision was guided by respect for President Museveni and a desire to avoid a repeat of the tensions, threats and violence that characterized the 2021 contest.
Sodo later secured victory in the 2026 general election after a closely fought race against Jet Tumwebaze.
As she prepares to assume her new role in government, Musherure says her priority will be strengthening wealth creation initiatives such as the Parish Development Model and Emyooga while expanding financial inclusion and access to affordable financing for Ugandans.
