Ugandan president names new cabinet

 Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni on Monday unveiled a new cabinet, dropping several long serving ministers, reshuffled and appointed new ones as he moves to finalize the new government.

Museveni, who was sworn on May 12 for his fifth five-year term in office, named 31 cabinet ministers and 49 state ministers.

A State House statement issued here detailing the new cabinet showed that the country's Vice President Edward Ssekandi, Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, first Deputy Prime Minister and deputy leader of government business Moses Ali, second deputy Prime Minister and minister of East African Affairs, Kirunda Kivenjija and Finance Minister Matia Kasaija retained their positions.

Museveni also retained Sam Kutesa the foreign affairs minister, Irene Muloni, the minister for energy and mineral development and Kahinda Otafiire as minister of constitutional affairs.

Janet Museveni, wife to Museveni was moved as minister for education and sports, Adolf Mwesigye as minister of defense and veteran affairs and Muruli Mukasa as minister for public service.

Gen. Jeje Odongo has been elevated as minister for internal affairs, former director of external security organization Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde appointed as minister for security and Ruth Aceng, the director general of health services appointed minister of health.

Museveni in a surprise move named opposition stalwarts, Betty Amongi minister of lands, housing and urban development, Betty Kamya minister in charge of the capital Kampala, Ruth Acieng sate minister for fisheries, Florence Nakiwala state minister for youths and children's affairs and Christopher Kibazanga as state minister for agriculture.

Long serving second deputy prime minister and minister of public service Henry Kajura, minister of defense, Crispus Kiyonga, internal affairs minister, Rose Akol, Attorney General, Fred Ruhindi and David Migereko, the minister for housing, lands and urban development were among those dropped.

Others dropped are information minister, Jim Muhwezi, education minister Jessica Alupo, state minister for elderly and disability, Sulamain Madada.

Non politicians like William Byaruhanga has been named as Attorney General while long serving environmentalist Mary Kitutu as minister of state for environment.

The president created new ministries of science, technology and knowledge and that of veteran's affairs.

Uganda's parliamentary appointments committee is expected to start vetting the appointed ministers on Tuesday ahead of the budget reading on Wednesday. 

source : xinhua