CONSOLATION? Ex-Museveni Minister Lands Job in Cultural Leader’s Cabinet

A prominent politician who was from President Yoweri Museveni’s cabinet months after he lost his parliamentary seat has been named a member of a cultural leader’s cabinet’. Is it a consolation for him?

The Paramount Chief of Lango, Eng. Dr. Michael Moses Odongo Okune, has unveiled a new administrative structure for the Lango cultural institution, bringing together politicians, professionals, academics and community leaders in a reshuffle aimed at strengthening the institution’s operations.

The changes were contained in an official decree delivered to the Speaker of the Council of Owitong on October 5, 2026.

The new structure creates several ministerial positions and specialised committees covering areas ranging from finance and investment to agriculture, youth affairs, sports, children’s welfare and cultural heritage.

Francis Ogwang of Oumolao has been appointed fifth deputy prime minister in charge of general duties, with responsibility for overseeing special task forces and monitoring institutional programmes.

Awitong Ambrose Agec Opio of the Omolo Atar Odyakol clan has been appointed deputy minister for peace building, liaison and local government liaison.

His responsibilities include managing relations between the cultural institution and local government leaders, as well as handling matters relating to the restitution of traditional assets and property under Cap 243.

Nicholas Karamagi Ogwang Ogoo of the Bako Ojota clan has taken the position of deputy minister for finance, planning and revenue for investment and diaspora affairs.

He will be responsible for mobilising the Lango diaspora and spearheading efforts to establish the Lango Investment Board.

Awitong Ambrose Ocen of Otengoro Olang has meanwhile been appointed deputy minister for employment and labour and coordinator of Lango public servants and professionals.

His portfolio will include mobilising professionals from across the region and supporting career development initiatives.

The restructuring also establishes specialised committees to handle specific areas of community and institutional development.

The agriculture, veterinary and fisheries committee, chaired by Awitong Benson Odongo, will focus on climate-smart farming, regional demonstration farms and improved post-harvest management.

A separate audit, investigations and compliance committee, headed by Awitong Robert Okello, will oversee financial accountability within the institution.

The committee will conduct semi-annual financial audits, investigate the alleged misuse of institutional resources and undertake technical audits of infrastructure projects.

The cultural administration has also given particular attention to young people.

The games and sports committee, chaired by Awitong Ongodo Santos, will organise sporting tournaments under the royal banner, promote traditional competitions such as the Aloi marathon and support initiatives aimed at combating substance abuse among young people.

Alebtong District Woman MP Dr Mercy Faith Lakica has been appointed to head the youth committee.

The committee will focus on youth economic empowerment, vocational training and cultural orientation.

The children’s affairs committee, led by Awitong John Bosco Nyankol, will concentrate on safeguarding children’s rights, combating child marriage and supporting initiatives in health and education.

The new administration has also created a mechanism for recognising people considered to have made significant contributions to Lango.

The Lango Heroes Award Committee, headed by Professor Celestino Obua, will identify historical and contemporary figures for recognition by the Won Nyaci and oversee plans for the establishment of a permanent Lango Heroes Square.

It is within this broader restructuring that the cultural institution has also brought in a familiar figure from Uganda’s national political establishment.

Former Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua, who belongs to the Atek Okwerowee clan, has been appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Won Nyaci.

In the new role, Obua will serve as the cultural leader’s high-level representative at both national and international level.

The appointment gives the former minister a fresh leadership platform after a turbulent political year in which he lost his Ajuri County parliamentary seat and was dropped from the Cabinet.

Obua, who had served as Government Chief Whip, lost the Ajuri County seat in the 2026 parliamentary election to Uganda People’s Congress candidate Fred Jalameso following a partial re-run of the election.

Jalameso was subsequently declared winner with 16,336 votes against Obua’s 15,568.

Obua’s Cabinet exit came soon afterwards when President Yoweri Museveni unveiled his new government and appointed Justine Kasule Lumumba as Government Chief Whip. Lumumba was later sent to the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, and Jane Ruth Aceng made Government Chief Whip.

Despite the setbacks, Obua retained a senior position in the NRM structure, having won the party’s Central Executive Committee vice-chairperson position for Northern Uganda.

His latest appointment now places him in a prominent role within the Lango cultural establishment, where he is expected to represent the Won Nyaci beyond the boundaries of the cultural institution.

You can see the list of ministers  who were dropped from Museveni’s cabinet, and a few who were consoled with advisor jobs Here and There.