olitical, religious, and opinion leaders in the Kigezi sub-region have urged newly appointed ministers from the area to avoid remaining confined to offices in Kampala and instead maintain close engagement with people at the grassroots without discrimination.
President Yoweri Museveni appointed seven ministers from the Kigezi region in the latest cabinet reshuffle. Among the appointees is Jacqueline Mbabazi, who was named Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development in charge of Elderly Affairs and Dr Chris Baryomunsi, the Kinkizi East County Member of Parliament, who was appointed Minister for Health. The two are from Kanungu District.
From Rukungiri, the President appointed Major General Jim Muhwezi Katugugu, the Rujumbura County MP, as Minister for Security, and Lieutenant General Henry Tumukunde Kakurugu, the Rukungiri Municipality MP, as Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
In Kisoro District, Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, the Kisoro District Woman MP, was appointed State Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs, while Rubanda East MP Henry Ariganyira Musasizi was elevated from State Minister of Finance for General Duties to full Minister of Finance.
Kabale District’s David Bahati was retained as Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives despite losing the Ndorwa West parliamentary seat to Eliab Naturinda Mporera. Rukiga District remained the only district in the Kigezi sub-region without ministerial representation.
Hajji Issa Tindyebwa, the Chairperson of the Kabale Muslim District Council, urged the ministers to remain connected to the people at the grassroots and cautioned them against sectarian tendencies. He noted that Kigezi has previously suffered from leadership divisions influenced by religious interests and appealed to the ministers to serve all people equally.
Henry Nasasira, the LCIII Chairperson for Central Division in Kabale District, welcomed the appointments, describing them as a positive development for the area. Nasasira said the absence of a minister from Rukiga District should not be viewed as a setback because the appointed ministers are expected to serve the interests of the entire Kigezi sub-region.
He expressed confidence in their ability to deliver, citing their experience and leadership capabilities, and pledged to cooperate with them to advance development in the region.
Sheikh Kabu Lule, the Kabale District Khadi, also welcomed the appointments but raised concerns over what he described as the continued underrepresentation of Muslims in government positions.
Lule dismissed claims that Muslims lack the academic qualifications needed for public office, arguing that many Muslims today are educated and capable of serving effectively if given the opportunity.
Robert Kakuru Byamugisha, the Executive Director of Kick Corruption Out of Uganda (KICK-U), a non-government organisation that advocates for good governance and anti-corruption, urged the newly appointed ministers to prioritise implementation of Government (NRM) commitments, particularly the fight against corruption.
Byamugisha said corruption continues to undermine service delivery across the country and called on the ministers to ensure that Ugandans experience tangible improvements in welfare and living conditions-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
