Abdu Katuntu & Amama Mbabazi feature on cabinet list

As Ugandans wait for the swearing in of President Museveni on May 12, 2021 for the sixth time since Uganda enacted the 1995 Constitution, they do not know what is in store, as in, who is on the cabinet list or has been dropped off  the list.

Interestingly, news from the corridors of power indicated that Counsel Abdu Katuntu and Amama Mbabazi, are some of the names; attracting attention of those who see them.  In other words, Katuntu and Amama have reportedly prominently featured on the new cabinet list.

As it is, usually, the president selects the cabinet days after swearing in and it is expected that he shall continue with this practice. Over the last ten years, cabinet appointees have averaged 60 years of age. However, recently there has been a sprinkling of young people in the sea of old men and women.

Analysts predict that the next cabinet could be much younger generally and that the president could appoint a sizeable number of opposition members to fulfil two key objectives:

• First in the face of growing international hostility, Museveni’s appointment of opposition members could appease some foreign powers and as a pacifist.
• Secondly, it could be a strategy by Museveni to “kill” the opposition by appearing to be extending an olive branch to it.

Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi is current vice president having served in that role since 2011. In effect he is the longest serving vice president in Uganda’s political history.

Like his predecessor, Prof Gilbert Bukenya, Ssekandi was appointed to appease two important constituencies: Buganda and Catholic Church. Yet having lost his parliamentary seat in the recent elections, his chances of coming back appear slim.

President Museveni could offer the position to one of the NRM contestants for the speakership of the 11th parliament. The race has already become divisive as supporters of Rebecca Kadaga and Jacob Oulanyah, both senior NRM members, hurl insults at each other.