Appointment offers raw deal to Lango

By Our Reporter

On Tuesday, President Yoweri Museveni appointed new ministers, dropping several others, in a move that has sparked mixed reactions in the Lango sub-region.

Politically, the reshuffle attracted both criticism and praise, with many residents accusing the appointing authority of giving Lango a raw deal despite the region overwhelmingly supporting the ruling government with 84 percent of the vote.

In the appointments announced at about 8:20pm on Tuesday, 28 cabinet and state ministers were dropped, paving way for new faces tasked with supporting President Museveni during his seventh term in office from 2026 to 2031.

From Lango, four leaders were appointed. They include Sam Engola, the Erute South MP, who was appointed Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Refugees; Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, appointed Minister for Information, Communication Technology and National Guidance; Dr Lakisa Mercy Faith, appointed State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs; and Sandra Santa Alum, appointed Minister for Economic Monitoring in the Office of the President.

However, Government Chief Whip and NRM Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda, Denis Hamson Obua, as well as Gender, Labour and Social Development Minister Betty Amongi, were dropped from cabinet.

The development has since attracted sharp criticism on social media and among political commentators, many arguing that the region was unfairly treated despite President Museveni’s strong performance in the January 15 elections.

In the last election, Lango emerged as the best-performing sub-region for the ruling party in northern Uganda, delivering 538,044 votes, representing 84.48 percent support.

Lango’s voting trend for President Museveni over the years has steadily increased:

1996: 61,608 votes (17%)
2001: 76,929 votes (20.7%)
2006: 45,012 votes (13.3%)
2011: 233,725 votes (56.4%)
2016: 291,295 votes (50.7%)
2021: 387,939 votes (65.7%)
2026: 538,044 votes (84.48%)

An NRM party member described the appointments as shocking, saying many expected Lango to receive more influential cabinet positions.

“I was shocked when I saw the list. At first, I thought it was fake, but later it was confirmed authentic,” said Bosco Ongom, a former NRM mobiliser.

Sodrick Okello said legislators such as Dr Samuel Opio Ocuti of Kole North, Paul Omara of Otuke County and Boniface Okot deserved cabinet appointments but were left out.

The reshuffle also saw several veteran politicians dropped from cabinet. They include Moses Ali, who served as Second Deputy Prime Minister; Henry Okello Oryem from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Wilson Muruli Mukasa from Public Service; Musa Ecweru from Works; Obiga Kania from Urban Development; Sam Cheptoris from Water and Environment; and Martin Mugarra from Tourism.

Others dropped include Peter Lokeris, Ruth Nankabirwa, Jennifer Namuyangu, Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, Hellen Adoa, Joyce Moriku Kaducu, Evelyn Anite, John Mulimba, David Muhoozi and Fred Gume.

Also affected were Raphael Magyezi, Matia Kasaija, Jeje Odongo and Peace Mutuuzo, among others.

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