Updated by HICGI News Agency at 1322 EAT on Tuesday 5 May 2026

The 2021–2026 Cabinet has concluded its term, with ministers directed to hand over office responsibilities to permanent secretaries following their final meeting on Monday.

President Yoweri Museveni thanked the outgoing ministers for what he described as a job well done. The administration was previously described by Museveni at the time of appointment as a “fishmongers” Cabinet.

The remark was widely interpreted as an attempt to temper public expectations, suggesting the team was not drawn from the traditional circle of long-established political heavyweights. However, the characterisation also sparked debate given the composition of the Cabinet.

The lineup had surprised sections of the public and, in some cases, even the appointees themselves. Jessica Alupo, who had recently returned as Katakwi Woman MP after a five-year absence from Parliament, was appointed Vice President.

Meanwhile, Robinah Nabbanja, then Kakumiro Woman MP, was named Prime Minister—appointments that triggered widespread national discussion at the time.

“Did the President release the wrong list?” many asked at the time, reflecting early public surprise over the composition of the 2021–2026 Cabinet.

Few had expected the team to serve a full five-year term, not only because of the unconventional appointments to positions once held by long-serving figures such as Amama Mbabazi, Apollo Nsibambi and Samson Kisekka, but also due to the precedent of frequent midterm cabinet reshuffles.

In the end, only two ministers—Agnes Nandutu and Mary Goretti Kitutu—both serving in the Karamoja affairs docket, were dropped after being implicated in the diversion of iron sheets intended for vulnerable communities in the sub-region.

The iron sheets scandal came to define much of the 2021–2026 Cabinet’s legacy, with several officials implicated in investigations. However, only Nandutu was successfully prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced to four years’ imprisonment at Luzira Prison.

President Yoweri Museveni has linked the outgoing Cabinet’s legacy to Uganda’s progress toward middle-income status, a claim that remains disputed by observers, including the World Bank.

According to a statement from the State House Presidential Press Unit, President Yoweri Museveni hosted a luncheon at State House, Entebbe, in honour of the outgoing ministers.

In what may have been his final address to some of them in that capacity, Museveni commended what he described as their “collective effort, discipline and commitment” in advancing Uganda’s development agenda.

The President also acknowledged the team’s role in the recent electoral process, describing the outcome as a collective achievement, while expressing confidence in continued economic growth in the coming term, the statement said in part.

He further urged the ministers to renew their commitment to “integrity, accountability and patriotism in public service.”

However, beneath the formal farewell, there is growing uncertainty over the future of several ministers as they await the formation of a new Cabinet. Unlike the 2021 general election, which saw a significant number of ministerial losses—particularly in the Buganda region—this time only a small number of incumbents failed to retain their parliamentary seats.

President Yoweri Museveni has historically dropped ministers who lose elections, with few being reappointed thereafter. With his next swearing-in scheduled for May 12, which would extend his rule to 45 years if completed through 2031, uncertainty is mounting among outgoing ministers over their political futures.

-Observer

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