By Hijoma Bumali
For close to 10 years, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda has served in senior positions within the Presidency, culminating in her appointment as Minister for the Presidency—one of the most sensitive and strategically important portfolios in government.
The office places her at the centre of supervising Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), coordinating government programmes, and monitoring manifesto implementation across the country.
Her appointment and continued tenure reflect the confidence that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has placed in her over time a trust built on party loyalty, administrative discipline, and a reputation for firmness in executing her responsibilities.
A Longstanding Journey Within the NRM, Hon. Babalanda's political journey within the National Resistance Movement (NRM) spans decades.
She previously served as Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Busia District, later became the Head of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC–NRM) at Kyambogo, currently the elected Member of Parliament for Budiope West Constituency in Buyende District and re-appointed Minister for the Presidency.
Throughout her career, she has earned a reputation as a committed mobiliser and steadfast party loyalist who has remained consistent through different political seasons. That record positioned her as a trusted figure capable of handling both internal party coordination and government oversight responsibilities. When she was appointed Minister for the Presidency in 2021, her mandate was clear: supervise RDCs and their deputies, monitor the implementation of government programmes at the grassroots, and ensure that public services reach citizens effectively. It is a role that demands administrative competence, political judgment, and unwavering discipline. She advocated for the recruitment of Assistant Resident District Commissioners to boost the office of RDCs in mobilisation and implementation of government programmes.
Institutional Oversight Under her leadership, the Office of the Presidency has strengthened the monitoring role of RDCs/RCCs, Deputies and their Assistants in overseeing government projects, including schools, health centres, road infrastructure, Emyooga, the Parish Development Model (PDM), and other wealth-creation initiatives.
Regular reports from districts have continued to provide government with valuable feedback on implementation challenges and progress of the country.
Minister Babalanda has consistently emphasized discipline within public service. She has overseen transfers, reprimands, and other administrative measures against RDCs and officials accused of misconduct. This approach aligns closely with President Museveni's long-standing emphasis on accountability, effective public administration, and the fight against corruption.
Political Stability Unlike some political appointees who become associated with internal factional disputes, Minister Babalanda has largely maintained a disciplined public profile, consistently supporting government programmes and adhering to the official party position.
Such steadiness is particularly significant in a ministry that sits at the intersection of politics and public administration.
Hon. Babalanda's name has recently appeared in online social media smear campaigns alleging corruption and mismanagement of office. However, to date, no formal charges or judicial findings have been presented against her regarding these allegations. As with many public officials occupying high-profile oversight positions, criticism and public scrutiny are inevitable.
While some commentators interpret the allegations as evidence of wrongdoing, others view them as politically motivated attempts to damage her reputation.
Her performance should be evaluated through measurable outcomes rather than unverified claims. It should be noted that continued coordination of RDCs, monitoring of NRM manifesto implementation, oversight of government programmes, and her regular public engagements as indicators of active leadership. Her position also places her at the forefront of enforcing accountability at the grassroots. Officials responsible for supervising public programmes and challenging irregularities often encounter resistance from individuals or groups whose interests may be affected by stricter oversight.
President Museveni has never withdrawn his confidence in Hon. Babalanda. She continues to represent the Office of the President at official functions, government events, and NRM activities, a role that many observers interpret as evidence of the President's continued trust in her leadership.
Ultimately, public confidence in Uganda's political leaders is shaped by multiple factors, including consistency, service delivery, institutional performance, and adherence to national priorities. Whether criticism strengthens or weakens a public official's standing often depends on how effectively they continue to execute their mandate and how any allegations are addressed through established legal and institutional processes.
In the end, many citizens are likely to judge leadership not by the intensity of online smear campaigns, but by whether government programmes reach communities, public services improve, and accountability mechanisms function effectively.
President Museveni's continued confidence in Hon. Babalanda suggests that he still considers her an important member of the team responsible for strengthening government oversight and advancing the implementation of national programmes, even as some enemies surrounding her leadership continues to tarnish her name.
The author is the NRM Youth League Chairperson for Mayuge District.
