What you missed at Cabinet swearing-in

On a day that climaxed President Museveni’s new Cabinet, 76 ministers, accompanied by family and friends, took oath of office on a glitzy Tuesday.

At the inauguration of his post-election Cabinet at State House Entebbe, a jolly President, occasionally interrupted proceedings to explain why he appointed some ministers, before they would proceed to shake hands with Speaker Rebecca Kadaga and Deputy Chief Justice, Steven Kavuma, who sat on either side of Mr Museveni.

But beyond the politics the occasion was full of hugs and relentless applause with “freshers” mingling with “survivors”.

Mr Haruna Kasolo (Microfinance), Mr Godfrey Kiwanda Suubi (Trade), Beti Kamya (Kampala), Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi (Youth) and Ms Evelyn Anite (Investment) and Frank Tumwebaze (ICT) shared the trophy for the most hugged ministers.
But the spectacle was on Ms Janet Kataaha Museveni, the new minister for Education, who sandwiched between ministers, had to turn and stretch to shake a hand here or there.
Before taking their oath of office, the ministers were absorbed in talk, congratulating each other for going through the Parliament’s Appointments Committee vetting process.
Like college students at a reunion, the ministers exchanged pleasantries, telephone numbers and took “selfies” in one go.
Nadduli steals show
For a day of routines, the ageing former Luweero District chairperson was the bright spot sending President Museveni in bouts of laughter for perhaps reciting the oaths with such ease and “eloquence”.

There had been talk and doubts about Mr Abdul Nadduli’s academic papers with many speculating he would not go beyond the Parliament vetting committee.

However, the 74-year-old minister Without Portfolio , who was expected to stumble, thrilled when reading his oath of allegiance and oath of secrecy with utmost emphasis, albeit with a heavy tongue.

The president looked on bemused, and after resisting for some minutes, burst into controlled but visible laughter, reaching out for tissue to wipe his teary eyes. The ceremony was electrified and the audience was entertained.

Nadduli, a 1980-1986 liberation war veteran, who previously accused President Museveni and other NRM party officials of failing to recognise his contribution and love for the party, like other ministers, was escorted to the podium by one of his wives, children and friends.

However, before he took oath, he recited an Islamic payer, requesting Allah to protect him from the lures of Satan.
The other minister who stole the show was UPC’s Betty Amongi, the Oyam South MP and minister for Lands.

She is one of the three ministers Mr Museveni tapped from Opposition to “maximise political unity” of the country, following a disputed February election.

However, the drama seemed to focus beyond the appointment, going to Milton Obote’s son and Lira Municipality MP Jimmy Akena, her husband.

The leader of one UPC’s factions, Mr Akena whose late father, Mr Museveni has publicly disparaged, basked in the glory of the appointment of his wife, cutting a demeanor of a man either oblivious of the rivalry his father had with the President or could have decided to move beyond is father’s standpoints.

When John Mitala, the Secretary to Cabinet called out Ms Amongi’s name, the audience thundered into a prolonged applause with Mr Museveni and Ms Kadaga smiling from a distance.

Ms Amongi, who wore a pink matching skirt and top, stood at the front for a few seconds, before her husband who had sat at the back joined her with the audience giving the duo a resounding applause.

The President wrapped up the pageantry with a handshake and a photo moment as if to say welcome to the party”.
Museveni on new ministers

When Mr Dennis Galabuzi Sozzi, who uprooted “mahogany” (former vice president Prof Gilbert Bukenya) from Busiro North approached the podium to take oath as the new state minister for Luweero Triangle, Mr Museveni explained his father was an ally of the rebel fighters then who reportedly supplied them with coffee and sugar during the bush war that brought the NRM government to power 30 years ago.

“The children of NRM have grown up. Those who have been playing with us have to be careful,” Mr Museveni said amid cheers.

For Mr Julius Maganda, the state minister for East African Affairs, Mr Museveni joked, saying ‘a Kenyan’ who should handle matters of EAC.

But he was not yet done, joking about Maj Bright Rwamirama (Veterans) who came infront with a Muslim man dressed like an Arab.

Mr Museveni explained that “this is my Sheikh from Kyeyirumba in Mbarara, don’t think he is al-Shabaab, explaining that the rich men of Kabaale supported him and rejected other groups.
As for Mr Obiga Kania, the man who uprooted FDC’s Kassiano Wadri from Terego County, Mr Museveni said his appointment to Cabinet symbolised the “fruits of a protracted struggle,” struggling for 20 years to take the Terego seat from Opposition.

And for Rukiga County, formerly represented by FDC’s Jack Sabiiti and now represented by Hebert Kabafunzaki (Labour and Industry), Mr Museveni said: “Rukiga County had been colonised by [Jack] Sabiiti and other people who were trying to bring confusion to that area.”

The president promised to issue written instructions to ministers today as the new Cabinet convenes for the first time to start “serious work” since general elections today.