What Ugandans make of Museveni’s new cabinet

Since President Yoweri Museveni named a new cabinet, Ugandans from different walks of life commented on what the new cabinet means both to them and Museveni as the appointing authority. For the first time since 1986, Museveni appointed two women in the highest positions in government. Jessica Alupo is the vice president while Robinah Nabbanja, became the prime minister. Alupo became the second woman to serve as vice-president after Dr. Specioza Wandira Kazibwe who served from 1994 to 2003.

Although Museveni may get credit for increasing women participation in decision making positions, political analysts interpret the move differently. Although the percentage of women in the cabinet rose from 27% to 43%,  many Ugandans believe that the Vice-President and Prime Minister are incompetent women who will not serve Ugandans' interests in such highly demanding positions. Their point is that the two women only serve Museveni’s personal agenda of surrounding himself with inept individuals who will question nothing.

Some regard women like Alupo and Nabbanja as co-opted co-conspirators with Museveni in propping up a corrupt and illegitimate regime. Alupo, a former military officer, served as a state minister for youth and children’s affairs (2009-2011) and minister of education and sports (2011-2015).

Nabbanja who served in parliament since 2016 and was re-elected in 2020 held a cabinet post as state minister for health after 2019. Other Ugandans were disappointed because women did not constitute 50% of the cabinet, as the women’s movement had been demanding. Former ethics minister Miria Matembe, was critical of the appointments saying that she felt the president had made purposefully weak appointments to enhance his already considerable choke-hold on power.

The outspoken former minister and women activist said: "As far as I am concerned, I have no hope or faith in the Museveni government. [With these appointments] Museveni is clearly telling you: ‘I am the only one. Uganda is in my hands. Leave it to me.’ There are so many capable women in Uganda."

Corruption within Museveni’s government has reached alarming levels. Lately, the Parliament of Uganda is suspended for two weeks as 200 MPs and staff tested positive of Covid-19. Hundreds of people are dying country-wide and a lockdown has been imposed as the country battles a second wave of the virus.

Lack of oxygen and vaccines in hospitals is critical and some video footage on social media has shown people fighting for gas cylinders. As this happens, Museveni’s family is implicated in various corruption scandals including embezzlement of billions of shillings meant to fight Covid-19. When Museveni warned the new cabinet that he will not tolerate corruption, Ugandans listened and watched in awe because they know that Museveni is not sincere.

US based Prof. Lauwrence Kiwanuka who works as Professor of Government and History at State University of New York, describes  Museveni as a congenital liar, corrupt, self-proclaimed big bull in the kraal and warmonger, among others.

Museveni was personally implicated in a US court having taken a bribe of $500,000 from a Chinese investor, Patrick Ho. In the US court, Museveni was referred to as Exhibit 1510. Until today, Ugandans have never received any apology from the president for this international bribery scandal and embarrassment by a sitting head of state. When in the new cabinet Ugandans see the faces of Alice Kaboyo, Kahinda Otafire and Jim Muhwezi, they know that Museveni is simply paying lip service to the war against corruption.

GAVI thieves bounce back

The rejection by the Parliament Appointments Committee to approve the appointment of Kaboyo, as Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister for Luwero Triangle-Rwenzori Region is a slap on Museveni’s face. The committee is said to have rejected her appointment based on the June 2012 incident when the Anti-Corruption Court convicted her, after she pleaded guilty to some of the counts in the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) case involving theft of $1.63 million. Kaboyo, a cousin to the first lady Janet Kataaha Museveni, who was a private Secretary to Museveni paid Shs 20 million as a fine to skip an eight year jail term.

Muhwezi, married to Susan, another cousin of the first lady, was approved as the new Minister for Presidency in charge of Security replacing Gen Elly Tumwine. Fifteen years ago he was also implicated in the GAVI corruption scandal when he served as the minister of health. The charge sheet indicated that, "Jim Muhwezi, as minister of health, did unlawfully ... in abuse of his office endorse ... requisitions for the use of (vaccine money), in total disregard of the laws ... governing the disbursement of public funds." Ugandans were left at a loss for exonerating Muhwezi from the GAVI scandal. The reason is known. Muhwezi is untouchable within Museveni’s inner circle. His wife, Suzan Muhwezi, is a cousin to first lady Janet Museveni.

Internal Affairs Minister Otafire, and Museveni’s brother, Salim Saleh, are among several Ugandan officials mentioned by a UN Panel of Experts report on the illegal exploitation of DRC’s resources.  Otafire was also mentioned in several land grabbing scandals in the country.

However, despite all those dents on Otafire’s reputation, he also belongs to a class of untouchables but not because he belongs to Museveni’s family. Observers believe that he is one of the few bush war veterans feared by Museveni. Popularly known as Mavi ya Kuku, (chicken droppings), Otafire is on record publicly warning that he can cause trouble in the country.  Museveni therefore keeps the acid tongued Otafire close out of fear and for the survival of his regime, not for the benefit of Ugandans. This is how low Uganda is sinking with a corrupt and incompetent government serving interests of one individual.