Entebbe, (UG):- The State House of Uganda has finally opened up on the news circulating on social media that President Museveni is set to reshuffle the cabinet which is allegedly expected to affect mostly ministers implicated in the Karamoja Iron Sheets Scandal.
The reports about the cabinet which started circulating this week as the President retreated to his country farm in Kisozi alleged that Karamoja Affairs Minister, Dr Mary Goretti Kitutu and her junior, Hon Agnes Nandutu might not return to the cabinet as Museveni sharpens his political ‘knife’, against the culprits.
“Kitutu will not come back,” a source said referring to Karamoja Affairs minister Mary Goretti Kitutu, one of the three ministers earlier arrested and charged in court over the theft of the iron sheet pieces.
The cabinet reshuffle according to the reports has been long overdue in waiting since April last year when the President vowed to take action against his ministers who had been implicated in diverting thousands of pieces of iron sheets meant for vulnerable persons in the Karamoja sub-region.
However, labelling the reports of the reshuffle as fake news on Friday evening, Museveni’s Deputy Press Secretary, Mr Kirunda Faruk dismissed with contempt the claims that the President has reshuffled the cabinet adding that such is fake news and it should be treated with the contempt it deserves.
“The General Public is urged to disregard information circulating and purporting a Cabinet reshuffle by H.E the President. No such reshuffle has been carried out,” Kirunda posted on his official X account.
He added; “In case the Appointing Authority reshuffles his Cabinet, you will be informed through the official channels. Thank you!”
Kirunda’s remarks came against the backdrop of a post by Vision Group boss, Mr Don Wanyama who in a post via X debunked a post on a fake X handle in the name of “@newvisionwire” which broke the news of a cabinet reshuffle purporting to be from the government-owned publication’s X account.
“Guys, this is fake news. Our handle @newvisionwire didn’t retweet that,” Mr Wanyama posted on his official X account labelling the post as FAKE.
Leaked Cabinet Reshuffle
The source also indicated that Prime Minister Rt Hon Robinah Nabbanja and Vice President Maj (Rtd) Jessica Alupo have also been reshuffled and transferred to different positions, while former IGP, Gen (Rtd) Kale Kayihura is reportedly back in the government for a yet-to-be-known assignment.
Sources dependable on the reshuffle said the leaked new Cabinet list had Works Minister Gen Katumba Wamala elevated to the position of Vice President, replacing Maj Jessica Alupo.
Also on the list is GennDavid Muhoozi, the State Minister of Internal Affairs who is reportedly promoted to the Prime Minister position, replacing Nabbanja, while Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze is reportedly moved from the Ministry of Agriculture to Lands.
His position sees Gender Minister Betty Amongi taking over while she is being replaced by Persis Namuganza at the Gender & Ministry House.
In other transfers as intimated by an inside source close to the Presidency, the Second Deputy Prime Minister; Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali, Minister Betty Ongom Amongi (Gender, Labour and Social Development), Hon Francis Mwebesa (Trade, Industry and Cooperatives), and Eng. Hilary Obolaker Onek (Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees) may also be given new roles from their current position.
For Gen Moses Ali, it is understood that the President will relieve him of his PM duties due to his current health and old age whereas for Betty Amongi, the recent struggles and scandals inside the NSSF may be a factor for her to be reshuffled.
The source further reveals that whereas some government officials may be dropped, some will reportedly be transferred to new dockets in the changes to be announced in an unspecified period of time.
The Insider further intimated to this website that the President who left Kampala for his country farm in Kisozi, Gomba District moves with his small notebook which he keeps updating every time as the power brokers and special advisors continue suggesting names of appointees to him.
The president, known for keeping his cards close to his chest, has left the public and political commentators engaged in heated debates about who might find a spot in the revamped cabinet.
Regardless of whether a reshuffle takes place, there are high expectations that President Museveni will address the implicated cabinet members in scandals such as the Karamoja iron sheet scandal and COVID-19 vaccine trials.
Traditionally, the President reshuffles his cabinet before electoral years, but this time, his return from Kisozi farm has left the public with the impression that he may be sticking with his current crew.
As the nation eagerly awaits President Museveni’s decision, the fisherman’s cabinet remains under scrutiny, and the call for accountability grows louder.
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