In Uganda’s political corridors of power, whispers of an impending cabinet reshuffle have ignited a frenzy among ministers, leaving many on edge and some even losing sleep over their uncertain futures.
President Yoweri Museveni’s nature to not to set a date for the reshuffle has heightened tensions, with speculation rampant since the dawn of 2024.
Sources privy to the nitty gritty of the workings of the high echelons of power, say the impending cabinet reshuffle that has been talk of the town is full of surprises, something that has left many on tenterhooks.
Every Monday, as the Cabinet convenes at State House Entebbe, the atmosphere is one of subtle despair with anticipation and apprehension, with some unsure of how many meetings are left with for the Monday trips to shores of Lake Victoria. Ministers, aware of the president’s penchant for strategic unpredictability, anxiously await potential changes that could alter their political trajectories.
Behind the scenes, sources close to the presidency reveal that President Museveni has already compiled a list of potential replacements, meticulously evaluating the performances of incumbents before finalizing his decisions. This waiting game has placed ministers under immense pressure as they grapple with the uncertainty of their fate.
“He is keeping cards close to his chest,” the source intimated to this website before adding, “You remember he once dropped one person from cabinet when everyone thought he would dissolve the whole government.”
Adding to the complexity of the situation is the emergence of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), led by President Museveni’s son, Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Aligning with this influential pressure group has become a strategic move for MPs vying for cabinet positions, intensifying the competition and political maneuvering among government officials.
Last week, the PLU held a baraza in Masaka City, an area that caused the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party political headache following the rise of musician Bobi Wine’s red wave that left many political casualties in its wake. Several MPs have been sighted with the group with sources saying they are positioning themselves for either cabinet of future prospects when the group will most likely have a say in the running of the country’s affairs.
OPPOSITION
Furthermore, President Museveni’s tendency to incorporate opposition figures into his cabinet has stirred both intrigue and anxiety among the political elite. Examples from past reshuffles, such as Norbert Mao’s appointment as Justice minister despite his opposition Democratic Party background, underscore the president’s willingness to diversify his administration and consolidate political support.
There is already talk in the political corridors of power that Museveni may cast his net and fish top members of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP). Bukoto South MP Twaha Kagabo has been flirting with the ruling party and has publicly rendered his support to the PLU while castigating the former.
MABAATI SAGA
Early last year, Ugandans were shocked to learn that iron sheets meant for people in Karamoja, had been diverted by majority of the cabinet members. Then, many thought the president would immediately swing his axe. However, it did not happen.
However, sources reveal that in the impending cabinet changes, the Head of State will take into account the saga on iron sheets. This is where most members of government are on edge, fearing that the axe will fall on them.
The saga opened talk on the possibility that President Museveni was on the verge of making changes as Ugandans were baying for their political blood.
Since then, speculation has been rife that a cabinet reshuffle was on the cards in Uganda’s political landscape.
Beyond Uganda, similar instances of cabinet reshuffles reverberate across the globe, demonstrating the universal nature of political uncertainty. From the United Kingdom to South Africa, leaders wield the power to reshuffle their cabinets, reshaping governments and recalibrating political alliances.
As Uganda braces for potential changes in leadership, the specter of the impending reshuffle looms large, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the country’s political landscape. Ministers navigate this precarious terrain, acutely aware that their futures hang in the balance as they await the president’s final verdict.
