Kampala, (UG): On Friday evening, Ugandans across social media were thrown in awe of anticipating that President Museveni would finally drop the long-awaited list of reshuffled cabinet.
As a matter of fact, Mr Don Wanyama, the CEO of NewVision, a government-owned publication came out to dismiss a post that had been making rounds on various social media platforms that the President was to announce the reshuffle in an hour.
The post, which appeared to be genuine with the NewVision handle and style of writing was strongly dismissed by Wanyama stating; “Guys, this is fake news. Our handle @newvisionwire didn’t retweet that.”
Adding to Wanyama’s post was Faruk Kirunda, the Deputy Press Secretary to the President who urged the General Public to “disregard information circulating and purporting a Cabinet reshuffle by H.E the President.”
“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!”
Who has been moved in the leaked reshuffle?
However, DailyExpress understands that the news surrounding the leaked list of new Cabinet Ministers has caused unease in the implicated ministers and officials at the State House.
Sources close to the State House claimed that the list of new cabinet ministers leaked on Friday night but was quickly withdrawn by President Museveni over unknown reasons.
In the leaked reshuffle, it became known that Prime Minister Rt Hon Robinah Nabbanja and Vice President Maj (Rtd) Jessica Alupo were among those reshuffled and transferred to different positions with Gen David Muhoozi (State Minister Internal Affairs) and Gen Edward Katumba Wamala (Works & Transport) replacing them respectively.
Also on the list included former IGP, Gen (Rtd) Kale Kayihura is reportedly back in the government, and expected to take over the Minister of Water and Environment while Lt Gen James Mugira would have moved from the position of Managing Director, National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) to serve as Minister of State for Trade.
The Minister for Agriculture, Hon Frank Tumwebaze is reportedly moved from the Ministry of Agriculture to Lands and replaced by Gender Minister Betty Amongi while Persis Namuganza takes over from Amongi at the Gender & Ministry House, according to the leaked list.
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 leaked cabinet list also showed that Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa was transferred to serve as Government Chief Whip in Parliament, replacing Dennis Obua who would have gone to serve as State Minister in the Ministry of Water and Environment.
The list further indicated that Defence Minister Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja had been dropped and Minister of State for Microfinance Hon. Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune transferred to the Ministry of Presidency.
Chief of Defence Forces Gen Wilson Mbadi would have moved from the leadership of the armed forces to serve as Security Minister.
When should we expect the reshuffle?
The inside source 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.
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