Uganda's Museveni reappoints wife as minister in massive Cabinet of 83 people

President Yoweri Museveni has retained his wife, Janet Museveni, as Minister of Education and Sports in Uganda’s newly unveiled 2026 to 2031 Cabinet.

Several senior officials kept their positions in the new executive lineup, including Vice President Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao.

A major surprise in the reshuffle was the redeployment of former Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng to the Ministry of Information, Communications Technology and National Guidance.

She swapped roles with Chris Baryomunsi, who takes over the Health docket.

Veteran politician Jim Muhwezi returns to the Cabinet as Minister in the Office of the President in charge of Security, while Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde has been appointed Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development.

Masaka City Woman MP Justine Nameere becomes Minister of State for Local Government. Jacqueline Mbabazi, wife of former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, has been appointed Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development in charge of Elderly Affairs.

The reshuffle, carried out under Uganda’s 1995 Constitution, saw Museveni drop 28 ministers in what appears to be a major executive overhaul at the start of the new political term and the 12th Parliament.

Among the most notable exits are long-serving Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, Foreign Affairs Minister Jeje Odongo and Gender Minister Betty Amongi.

Second Deputy Prime Minister Moses Ali, who has served continuously since the era of former President Idi Amin, was also left out of the new Cabinet.

Others dropped include Ruth Nankabirwa, Hamson Obua, Muruuli Mukasa, Raphael Magyezi, Gen. David Muhoozi and Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth, who vacated the Defence docket after becoming Speaker of Parliament.

Several state ministers also lost their positions, among them Peter Lokeris, Francis Mwebesa, Sam Cheptoris, Dr Kenneth Omona, Florence Nambozo, Jenipher Namuyangu, Fred Bwino Kyakulaga and Hellen Adoa, among others. 

The expansive cabinet overhaul directly follows Museveni’s recent swearing-in ceremony at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala.

On May 12, 2026, the 81-year-old leader took the oath of office for his seventh consecutive five-year term, extending his 40-year tenure at the helm of Ugandan politics.

The event featured massive military parades and a roaring flyover by Russian-made fighter jets, all organized under the watchful eye of the president’s son and army chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

This political transition crystallised after the controversial January elections, where Museveni secured a landslide victory with over 71% of the vote.