KAMPALA — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has made last-minute changes to his proposed Cabinet list, swapping the roles of Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba and Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero in a fresh adjustment communicated to Parliament on Thursday.
In a press statement issued by State House, Museveni said he had made “slight changes” to the list of Cabinet ministers that had earlier been submitted to Parliament for approval.
Under the changes, Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba has been appointed Minister of Information, Communications Technology and National Guidance, while Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero has been named Government Chief Whip.
Lumumba had earlier been proposed as Government Chief Whip in the initial Cabinet list, while Aceng had been listed as Minister of ICT and National Guidance.
The reshuffle means Lumumba now joins the Cabinet in charge of the ICT and government communication docket, while Aceng takes over the politically influential Chief Whip office responsible for coordinating government business in Parliament and mobilising support for the ruling NRM agenda in the House.
The development came just hours after Parliament approved Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja as Prime Minister and endorsed a motion to increase the number of ministers in government.
Museveni’s latest switch adds another twist to what has been a closely watched Cabinet formation process, marked by intense lobbying, speculation and surprise appointments.
Lumumba, the former NRM Secretary General and ex-Minister for General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, returns to a frontline executive role with direct oversight over ICT policy, communications and national guidance messaging.
Dr. Aceng, who previously served as Minister of Health before being moved in the new list, now takes up the Chief Whip position at a politically significant moment as government prepares to steer legislation and policy through the new Parliament.
The State House statement did not indicate whether further changes are expected, but the latest development is likely to trigger fresh political debate over Museveni’s final Cabinet lineup.
