Kampala, Uganda: President Museveni’s 2026–2031 Cabinet reshuffle not only introduced new faces and promotions but also reassigned several ministers to entirely new government portfolios in one of the administration’s biggest reorganisations in recent years.
The reshuffle saw experienced ministers transferred across key sectors, including Defence, ICT, Energy, Public Service and Foreign Affairs, as Museveni repositioned trusted loyalists and technocrats ahead of his new “Kisanja No Sleep” term.
Below, DailyExpress brings you some of the notable ministers who received new roles in the latest Cabinet.
Kiryowa Kiwanuka – From Attorney General to Defence Minister
Kiryowa Kiwanuka has secured one of the most powerful transfers in the new Cabinet after being moved from Attorney General to Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs.
A senior lawyer and long-time legal adviser within NRM circles, Kiryowa played a central role in defending government positions on constitutional, electoral and political matters during his tenure as Attorney General.
His deployment to the Defence docket places him at the centre of Uganda’s military and national security establishment at a time of evolving regional security dynamics and Uganda’s growing defence engagements across the region.
Kiryowa replaces Jacob Oboth Oboth, who exited Cabinet upon being elected Speaker of Parliament.
Jane Ruth Aceng – From Health to ICT and National Guidance
In one of the most surprising reshuffles, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero got transferred from the Ministry of Health to become Minister of Information, Communications Technology and National Guidance.
Aceng became one of Uganda’s most recognizable public officials during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she led the country’s health response and frequently addressed the nation on disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.
Her move to the ICT ministry is being interpreted as a strategic redeployment into government communication, public information management and digital transformation.
She replaces Chris Baryomunsi, who has now been moved to the Health Ministry.
Chris Baryomunsi – From ICT to Health Ministry
Dr Chris Baryomunsi swapped ministries with Aceng after serving as ICT and National Guidance minister.
A trained medical doctor and seasoned politician, Baryomunsi previously served in various portfolios, including Housing and Information, before his ICT deployment.
His appointment to the Health Ministry places him back into a technically familiar field, given his medical background. His transfer is viewed as one that may also help strengthen government communication around health policy amid heightened Ebola surveillance and ongoing healthcare reforms.
Monica Musenero – From Science and Innovation to Energy Ministry
Dr Monica Musenero Musanza has been reassigned from the Science, Technology and Innovation docket to become Minister of Energy and Mineral Development.
Musenero gained prominence during Uganda’s COVID-19 scientific response and later spearheaded government innovation and industrial science programmes. Her new role now places her at the centre of Uganda’s oil, gas, electricity and mineral development agenda, one of the country’s most economically strategic sectors.
She replaces Ruth Nankabirwa, who has instead been appointed Senior Presidential Advisor.
Katumba Wamala – From Works to Public Service
Gen Katumba Wamala has been moved from the Ministry of Works and Transport to become Minister of Public Service.
The former army commander and long-serving minister previously supervised major road and transport infrastructure projects, including preparations linked to the upcoming AFCON 2027 tournament.
His reassignment to Public Service now places him in charge of civil service administration, government staffing and public sector management.
Sam Mayanja – From State Minister for Lands to Attorney General
Sam Mayanja served in the outgoing government as State Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, where he became one of the most outspoken figures on land disputes, illegal evictions and bibanja conflicts.
A trained lawyer and controversial constitutional commentator, Mayanja frequently dominated headlines through his confrontations with Buganda Kingdom officials and his aggressive interventions in land-related conflicts.
In Museveni’s new Cabinet, Mayanja has now been elevated to Attorney General, one of the country’s most powerful legal offices.
The appointment represents a major shift away from the Lands docket into the heart of government legal affairs and constitutional advisory work.
He replaces Kiryowa Kiwanuka, who has been transferred to the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.
Balaam Barugahara – From Youth Minister to Local Government Minister
Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi previously served as State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs after years of operating as an entertainment promoter and political mobiliser.
His appointment to the Youth ministry had largely focused on youth empowerment campaigns, patriotism mobilisation and engagement with urban youth demographics.
Museveni has now elevated Balaam into the powerful Ministry of Local Government, marking one of the biggest jumps in the reshuffle.
The Local Government ministry oversees district administration, local councils and grassroots governance structures across the country, a dramatic shift from his previous youth docket.
He replaces Raphael Magyezi, who has been dropped from the Cabinet.
Kahinda Otafiire – From Internal Affairs to Water and Environment
Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire remains among Museveni’s longest-serving and most trusted political loyalists. In the outgoing Cabinet, Otafiire served as Minister of Internal Affairs, where he oversaw immigration, prisons and internal security coordination.
Museveni has now reassigned him to the Ministry of Water and Environment, moving him away from security administration into environmental management, water resources and climate-related governance.
He replaces Sam Mangusho Cheptoris, who was dropped from the Cabinet.
Adonia Ayebare – From UN Diplomacy to Foreign Affairs Minister
Ambassador Adonia Ayebare also entered Cabinet as Minister of Foreign Affairs after years serving as Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
Ayebare has been one of Uganda’s most visible diplomats internationally and played key roles in regional diplomacy, international negotiations and strategic foreign policy engagements. He was appointed last year to be part of the cabinet as ex officio, and resultantly he now has a big role ahead.
His appointment signals Museveni’s intention to strengthen Uganda’s diplomatic visibility amid shifting geopolitical and regional dynamics.
He replaces Jeje Odongo, who was dropped from Cabinet.
Henry Tumukunde – From the Bench to the Gender Ministry
Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde Kakurugu has returned to active Cabinet service as Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
Tumukunde, a former intelligence chief and security minister, remained a highly influential figure in Uganda’s security and political establishment despite previous fallout with the government.
His assignment to the Gender ministry marks one of the more unexpected deployments in the reshuffle and signals Museveni’s continued trust in him despite past political tensions.
To political analysts, the reshuffle demonstrates Museveni’s preference for strategic redeployment rather than complete removal of trusted cadres. Several ministers were shifted into sectors viewed as politically sensitive, technically demanding or central to the government’s new economic and governance priorities.
The changes also suggest attempts to balance experience, loyalty, technocratic expertise and regional representation within the new Cabinet structure.
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