Buganda has emerged as the biggest beneficiary in President Yoweri Museveni’s latest Cabinet composition, taking 21 ministerial positions — far ahead of all other sub regions in the country. The distribution has sparked fresh debate about regional balance, political influence and the National Resistance Movement’s electoral calculations ahead of the next political cycle, for which it is not yet clear if Museveni is interested in offering himself for reelection.
A breakdown of the Cabinet appointments shows that Buganda received more ministerial slots than traditionally influential regions such as Ankole, which got six ministers, and Tooro, Teso, Busoga and Bunyoro, each of which secured five positions. Kigezi followed closely with seven ministers while both Acholi and West Nile received six positions each.
The numbers underline Buganda’s continued importance in Uganda’s politics due to its large population, economic influence and voting strength. The sub-region has in recent years become a fiercely contested political battleground between the ruling NRM and the opposition, particularly the National Unity Platform (NUP), which enjoys significant support in many Buganda districts.
It should be noted that the sub region called Buganda is also largely the region referred to as central. Figures may paint a different picture in the analysis based on regions.
The Cabinet sharing also highlighted disparities among smaller subregions. Sebei received only one minister while Bugisu got two. Karamoja and Rwenzori each secured three ministerial appointments, with Lango and Bukedi taking four each.
Supporters of the Museveni regime argue that Cabinet selection is based on a combination of competence, political loyalty, regional representation and strategic national interests.
Number of Ministers Per Sub-region
- Buganda – 21 ministers
- Kigezi – 7 ministers
- West Nile – 6 ministers
- Acholi – 6 ministers
- Ankole – 6 ministers
- Tooro – 5 ministers
- Teso – 5 ministers
- Busoga – 5 ministers
- Bunyoro – 5 ministers
- Lango – 4 ministers
- Bukedi – 4 ministers
- Rwenzori – 3 ministers
- Karamoja – 3 ministers
- Bugisu – 2 ministers
- Sebei – 1 minister
It should be remembered that Baganda is the largest tribe in Uganda with more people than other tribes. (See number of people per tribe and religion in Uganda Here, There and Over There).
Handling Buganda issues remains a sensitive matter. Years ago, government had to come out and apologize after Buganda disappeared from the map of Uganda, as reported Here and There).
MORE ON MUSEVENI CABINET LIST 2026-2031
You can see the full cabinet list with names of ministers that Museveni has appoint for the 2026-2031 term of office Here.
The list of new faces in cabinet for 2026-2031 term 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 junior ministers who were promoted to full cabinet ministers is 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.
For Busoga sub region, only women got minister jobs, as detailed Here.
