President Yoweri Museveni has appointed women only when it came to Busoga’s share in cabinet 2026-2031.
The president announced his new cabinet on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. He retained the powerful women from Busoga to serve in his new five-year term.
In this report, The Pearl Times looks at the women Museveni chose from Busoga.
REBECCA KADAGA
Veteran politician Rebecca Kadaga tightened her grip on Uganda’s top leadership circle after President Yoweri Museveni retained her as First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs in the newly unveiled 2026–2031 Cabinet.
The former Speaker of Parliament remains one of the ruling National Resistance Movement’s most enduring power brokers, with her influence stretching far beyond Busoga sub-region where she has dominated politics for decades.
Her reappointment was widely interpreted as a sign that Museveni still considers her a critical figure in maintaining political stability and regional balance within government.
Kadaga’s latest Cabinet return further cemented a political career that has seen her serve as Kamuli Woman MP, minister, Deputy Speaker and later Speaker of Parliament, becoming one of the longest-serving female leaders in Uganda’s post-independence history.
Political observers noted that despite periodic tensions within the ruling party, Kadaga has consistently survived major political transitions because of her deep grassroots networks and ability to mobilise support for the NRM across eastern Uganda.
Her continued oversight of East African Affairs also places her at the centre of Uganda’s regional integration agenda within the East African Community framework.
LUKIA ISANGA NAKADAMA
Equally significant was the retention of Lukia Isanga Nakadama as Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Without Portfolio, extending her long stay within the upper ranks of government.
Nakadama, a seasoned mobiliser from Mayuge District, has steadily risen through the NRM hierarchy over the years, building influence through women’s political structures and grassroots organisation in Busoga.
Her political career has included service as Woman MP, Minister of State for Gender and Labour, and senior party mobiliser, roles that helped establish her as one of the most trusted female figures within Museveni’s political camp.
Nakadama’s continued presence in Cabinet highlights Museveni’s strategy of maintaining experienced loyalists in senior government positions. Analysts say her calm political style and deep roots within the ruling party have allowed her to remain relevant even as younger politicians emerge within the NRM.
Her latest appointment also strengthened Busoga’s representation at the heart of government, further confirming the region’s strategic political importance in Museveni’s calculations.
MILLY BABIRYE BABALANDA
Milly Babirye Babalanda also strengthened her standing within Uganda’s power structure after retaining the influential Ministry for the Presidency docket.
Since entering Cabinet in 2021, Babalanda has transformed from a behind-the-scenes NRM mobiliser into one of the most visible figures in Museveni’s administration.
Before her ministerial appointment, she served as head of the NRM National Chairman’s Office (ONC) and Senior Presidential Advisor on political affairs, positions that brought her into close proximity with the President and the ruling party’s inner workings.
As Minister for the Presidency, Babalanda has overseen the powerful network of Resident District Commissioners and government monitoring structures tasked with supervising implementation of state programmes across the country.
Her tenure has been marked by aggressive mobilisation campaigns, public defence of government policies and efforts to tighten accountability among local administrators.
Her retention signaled Museveni’s continued confidence in younger loyalists who rose through party structures rather than conventional elective politics.
JUSTINE KASULE LUMUMBA
Justine Kasule Lumumba’s return to Cabinet extended a political career that has made her one of the most recognisable women within the ruling NRM establishment. The former NRM Secretary General has spent years at the centre of the party’s electoral machinery, helping coordinate national campaigns and grassroots mobilisation during some of Uganda’s most competitive elections. Her influence within the party structure elevated her from Bugiri Woman MP to one of Museveni’s most trusted political organisers.
Lumumba later crossed fully into executive leadership when she joined Cabinet as Minister for General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister.
Her latest reappointment signals Museveni’s continued reliance on veteran party mobilisers with extensive institutional memory and countrywide networks.
Lumumba remains a significant figure whose experience and organisational skills continue to make her valuable within government and the ruling party hierarchy.
PERSIS NAMUGANZA
Persis Namuganza also survived another Cabinet reshuffle, underlining her resilience in Uganda’s often unforgiving political arena.
The outspoken Busoga politician has built a reputation as one of the NRM’s most combative female leaders, frequently generating controversy through her sharp political remarks and confrontations with opponents.
Despite repeated criticism and censure attempts in Parliament, Namuganza has consistently maintained her footing within government due to her unwavering loyalty to Museveni and her strong grassroots mobilisation in eastern Uganda.
Reelected in January 2026 on an independent ticket after disputing the results of the NRM primary in her constituency, her political journey began as Bukono County Woman MP before she climbed into ministerial positions linked to lands and housing.
Over the years, Namuganza became deeply involved in some of Uganda’s most heated political debates, particularly on land ownership and Busoga politics, taking on Speaker Anita Among and Rebecca Kadaga.
While critics often accused her of being confrontational, supporters viewed her as a fearless defender of government positions.
Her latest Cabinet appointment reaffirmed Museveni’s preference for battle-tested loyalists capable of commanding attention in politically sensitive regions, but also what appears like the president’s accommodative character.
The list of junior ministers who were promoted to full cabinet ministers is HERE.
You can see the list of ministers who were dropped from Museveni cabinet and the former ministers who bounced back to cabinet Here and There.
The list of new faces in cabinet for 2026-2031 term is Here.
You can see the full cabinet list with names of ministers that Museveni has appoint for the 2026-2031 term of office Here.
Read about NRM CEC members, former ministers’ relatives and the fired ministers that Museveni has consoled with presidential advisor and ambassador jobs Here, There and Over There.
