Cabinet Reshuffle!! President Museveni Set To Drop Ministers Who Allegedly Swindled Karamoja Iron sheets , Meeting Details Leak

Around two weeks ago, President Museveni retreated to his Kisozi farm in Gomba District to make the ultimate decision regarding a long-anticipated Cabinet reshuffle.

President Museveni has been anticipated to rearrange his Cabinet since April last year when he pledged “political action” against ministers implicated in diverting thousands of iron sheets intended for vulnerable individuals in Karamoja sub-region.

According to sources at State House, the time has arrived, with most of the implicated ministers likely facing dismissal as Mr. Museveni finalizes the Cabinet, expected to bolster his government’s agenda for the 2026 general elections.

A source indicated, “Kitutu will not come back,” referring to Karamoja Affairs minister Mary Goretti Kitutu, one of the three ministers previously arrested and charged in court over the misappropriation of iron sheet pieces.The other ministers, Amos Lugoloobi (State for Planning) and Kitutu’s deputy Agnes Nandutu, are also understood to be implicated in the scandal and unlikely to return to Cabinet unless there are unforeseen circumstances.

Other anticipated changes include Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, who was also involved in the iron sheets scandal. Nabbanja, who led what President Museveni termed the “Cabinet of Fishermen,” is expected to be redeployed.

The Iron Sheets Scandal

In the Fiscal Year 2021/2022, Parliament approved a supplementary budget of Shs39 billion for the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to aid the disarmament process and support the livelihoods of vulnerable individuals in Karamoja. This included the provision of agricultural inputs such as goats to enhance peace and tackle cattle rustling in the region.

Of the allocated funds, Shs22 billion was utilized for purchasing goats, while Shs8 billion was earmarked for procuring 100,000 iron sheets. However, only 650 iron sheets were distributed across the entire sub-region, leaving over Shs8 billion unaccounted for.

Expressing his displeasure, President Museveni, in April last year, penned a letter to Prime Minister Nabbanja, labeling ministers who appropriated the iron sheets for personal use as “thieves” deserving prosecution. He emphasized the need for the implicated individuals to return the iron sheets or their equivalent value and face legal consequences.

The Director of Public Prosecution, Jane Frances Abodo, cleared some high-ranking officials implicated in the scandal due to insufficient evidence. Nonetheless, Vice President Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Nabbanja, Parliament Speaker Anita Among, and Finance Minister Matia Kasaija faced scrutiny.

Nabbanja’s potential downfall could perpetuate Museveni’s policy of dismissing implicated ministers, irrespective of their stature. While former Health ministry officials Alice Kaboyo, Jim Muhwezi, and Mike Mukula have resurfaced in various capacities within Museveni’s administration, they were previously ousted from the Cabinet for their involvement in the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) funds scandal.

Former State Minister for Labour Herbert Kabafunzaki’s dismissal followed his 2017 conviction for corruption. Kabafunzaki accepted a Shs5 million bribe from AYA group boss Hamid Muhammed to quash sexual abuse allegations against him by a former employee, Jamila Opondo.

Former Vice President Gilbert Bukenya was sacked in May 2011 after being indicted and briefly jailed in April of the same year on charges related to alleged abuse of office and fraud linked to the 2007 Commonwealth summit held in Kampala. Ronald Kibuule lost his position as State Minister for Water in 2021 due to a series of public scandals, including assaulting a female guard in a banking lobby in Mukono, tarnishing his reputation.

In 2019, Aidah Nantaba was relieved of her duties as State Minister for ICT following reports that she ordered her guards to shoot motorcyclist Ronald Ssebulime under suspicion of being trailed by an assailant. Nantaba, known for addressing the President as “Daddy” and making their conversations public, withdrew from the political scene after Ssebulime’s death.

President Museveni is expected to finalize his Cabinet in the coming days, prioritizing preparations for the 2026 re-election campaign.