Kampala, Uganda: President Museveni’s “Kisanja No Sleep” Cabinet has ushered in a wave of first-time ministers, technocrats, businessmen, academics and fresh political entrants as the veteran leader reshapes government for the 2026–2031 term.
While several old guards survived the reshuffle, the new Cabinet reflects Museveni’s increasing willingness to elevate emerging political actors, professionals and strategic mobilisers into executive leadership.
A DailyExpress analysis of the new lineup shows that a number of appointees are entering Cabinet for the very first time, marking a major transition in Uganda’s political leadership landscape.
ADONIA AYEBARE
Veteran diplomat Adonia Ayebare makes his first-ever entry into Cabinet as Minister of Foreign Affairs after years representing Uganda on the international stage.
Ayebare has served as Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York and previously worked as President Museveni’s Principal Private Secretary and Senior Advisor on Foreign Affairs. A trained journalist and political scientist, he has been one of Uganda’s most influential diplomats internationally, particularly in negotiations involving regional security, climate financing and multilateral cooperation.
His appointment signals Museveni’s growing preference for experienced diplomats over traditional politicians in managing Uganda’s foreign policy at a time of increasing geopolitical competition and regional security tensions.
DR LAWRENCE MUGANGA
Among the most talked-about first-time entrants is Prof Lawrence Muganga, who was appointed State Minister for Internal Affairs.
Muganga built his public profile through academia, education reform advocacy and leadership training as Vice Chancellor of Victoria University. A Ugandan-Canadian scholar, he became nationally visible through campaigns promoting digital education, innovation and youth empowerment.
His appointment is widely viewed as Museveni’s attempt to inject technocratic and communication-driven leadership into the Internal Affairs ministry. Analysts also point to Muganga’s recent activism around citizenship and national identity issues involving the Abavandimwe community as a possible factor behind his deployment to a ministry overseeing immigration, passports and national identification systems.
SANJAY TANNA
Businessman Sanjay Tanna enters Cabinet for the first time as Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.
Tanna is one of Uganda’s prominent businessmen with interests in manufacturing, real estate and industrial investment. His appointment signals Museveni’s growing preference for private sector-linked figures in economic ministries as government intensifies industrialisation and export-driven growth strategies.
Tanna’s entry into Cabinet reflects attempts to strengthen direct engagement between government and Uganda’s business community at a time of growing pressure around unemployment, manufacturing and regional trade competitiveness.
ENG. JONARD ASIIMWE
Jonard Asiimwe was appointed Minister in charge of Science, Technology and Innovation under the Office of the President. He replaces Dr Monica Musenero in the energized role.
An engineer by profession, Asiimwe has recently emerged within government-linked innovation and technology circles. His appointment reflects Museveni’s continued prioritisation of science, industrial technology and innovation as central pillars of economic transformation.
Analysts believe the President is increasingly seeking younger technocrats capable of driving Uganda’s digital economy, innovation ecosystems and industrial research agenda.
AMINA MUKALAZI
Senior Presidential Advisor, Hajjat Amina Mukalazi, joins government for the first time as State Minister for Privatization and Investment.
Mukalazi’s appointment places a private sector figure directly within Uganda’s investment and economic policy structures. Although relatively unknown in mainstream politics, her elevation is being interpreted as part of Museveni’s strategy of integrating business-oriented professionals into economic governance.
Her role will likely focus on attracting investment, supporting privatization programmes and strengthening Uganda’s competitiveness in regional markets.
CALVIN ECHODU
Soroti City businessman and politician Calvin Echodu was appointed State Minister for Foreign Affairs in charge of International Affairs.
Echodu has been active in NRM politics and youth mobilisation in eastern Uganda while also maintaining strong business interests. He previously contested for parliamentary and party leadership positions, steadily building influence within Teso politics.
His appointment is viewed as both regional balancing and a reward for political loyalty and mobilisation within the ruling establishment.
DESIRE MUHOOZA
Desire Muhooza enters Cabinet as State Minister for Agriculture. The youthful Kiboga District Woman legislator has recently gained visibility within NRM mobilisation structures and parliamentary activities linked to agriculture and rural development.
Observers say her appointment reflects Museveni’s continued effort to bring younger female leaders into strategic sectors tied to household incomes, wealth creation and Parish Development Model implementation.
SHARTSI KUTESA MUSHERURE
Shartsi Kutesa Musherure also makes her first Cabinet appearance as State Minister for Microfinance.
The former Mawogola North MP and daughter of former Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa has steadily risen within NRM structures and parliamentary politics.
Her appointment is viewed as both a generational transition within influential political families and Museveni’s attempt to strengthen mobilisation around wealth creation programmes targeting women and youth.
SIRAJI MUSA ALI
Engineer Siraji Musa Ali, son of veteran NRA bush aw hero, Gen Moses Ali, enters government as State Minister for Works.
Although not widely known nationally before the appointment, his selection reflects Museveni’s growing preference for technical professionals in infrastructure-related ministries, and an attempt to consolidate for his father’s exit from the cabinet.
Ali’s engineering background is expected to support implementation and supervision within Uganda’s expanding transport and road infrastructure sector.
CISSY MULONDO
Cissy Mulondo enters Cabinet for the first time as State Minister for Finance in charge of General Duties.
Mulondo serves as Woman MP for Kyotera District and has steadily built her profile within Parliament through committee work and NRM mobilisation structures. Her appointment is seen as part of Museveni’s strategy to elevate more women into economic governance roles.
Political observers say her deployment to the Finance ministry places her at the centre of government budgeting, public expenditure oversight and implementation of wealth creation programmes.
JOHN BAPTIST LOKII
Karamoja politician John Baptist Lokii joins Cabinet for the first time as Minister for Karamoja Affairs.
Lokii has been active in regional politics and community mobilisation within Karamoja, a region that remains central to government interventions around security, disarmament and development.
His appointment is viewed as both regional balancing and a strategic attempt by Museveni to strengthen political management in Karamoja following years of insecurity, poverty and humanitarian challenges.
MARY KAMULI KUTEESA
Mary Kamuli Kuteesa was appointed State Minister for Gender and Culture, marking her first Cabinet appointment.
The woman legislator from central Uganda has maintained visibility in women mobilisation and grassroots politics within NRM structures. Her appointment places her in a ministry heavily involved in gender advocacy, cultural affairs and social protection programmes.
Analysts say Museveni is increasingly relying on younger female leaders to strengthen mobilisation among women and community groups.
SUSAN NAKAWUKI NSAMBU
Susan Nakawuki Nsambu enters Cabinet as State Minister for Tourism. Nsambu has been active in local government and political mobilisation structures and now joins the tourism sector at a time Uganda is aggressively marketing itself as a regional tourism and investment destination.
Her appointment is expected to strengthen community-level tourism mobilisation and domestic tourism promotion initiatives.
JACQUELINE MBABAZI
Jacqueline Mbabazi joins Cabinet for the first time as State Minister for Elderly Affairs.
Mbabazi has largely maintained a low-profile political presence but is viewed within NRM circles as an experienced mobiliser with strong grassroots connections.
Her appointment reflects government’s continued emphasis on social protection programmes targeting elderly Ugandans under initiatives such as SAGE and community welfare interventions.
MERCY FAITH LAKISA
Young legislator Mercy Faith Lakisa was appointed State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, becoming one of the youngest new entrants in Museveni’s Cabinet.
Lakisa has built her political identity around youth mobilisation and community advocacy, and her appointment aligns with government’s increasing focus on youth unemployment, skilling and empowerment programmes.
Observers see her elevation as part of a broader attempt to attract younger voices into government leadership structures.
GRACE AKIFEZA NGABIRANO
Grace Akifeza Ngabirano enters Cabinet as State Minister for Defence.
Her appointment is among the most notable female deployments into Uganda’s security sector, traditionally dominated by male figures and military veterans.
Political analysts say Museveni’s decision reflects efforts to widen female representation in strategic ministries while maintaining loyalty within the ruling establishment.
JOYCE ACAN OKENY
Joyce Acan Okeny was appointed State Minister for Disability Affairs.
Acan Okeny has been involved in advocacy and representation for vulnerable communities and now assumes a ministry role directly linked to disability inclusion and social welfare.
Her appointment is expected to strengthen government engagement with disability rights organisations and community empowerment programmes.
PHYLLIS CHEMUTAI
Phyllis Chemutai joins government for the first time as State Minister for Primary Education.
Chemutai’s appointment comes at a critical time when Uganda continues grappling with learning gaps, teacher welfare concerns and implementation of education reforms.
Her deployment is viewed as part of Museveni’s continued focus on strengthening foundational education and improving service delivery in primary schools across the country.
A CABINET OF TECHNOCRATS, MOBILISERS AND LOYALISTS
The new Cabinet reveals Museveni’s balancing act between experienced political figures and fresh entrants drawn from academia, business, technology and regional mobilisation structures.
Unlike many past appointees who emerged through long parliamentary careers or historical NRM structures, figures like Muganga, Tanna and Mukalazi built their profiles outside mainstream politics through academia and business.
Analysts say this reflects growing recognition within government that technocrats and corporate-minded leaders may be necessary to drive implementation-heavy ministries and economic reforms.
Whether the new faces will deliver tangible results or simply blend into Uganda’s long-standing political bureaucracy remains one of the key questions surrounding the “Kisanja No Sleep” administration.
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