At least two new NRM CEC bosses have been appointed ministers as President Yoweri Museveni unveiled his new cabinet for the 2026-2031 term of office.
While one of the two NRM CEC members appointed minister got a full cabinet position, another got a junior minister job. One is a member of parliament while the other is not.
The two are Jonard Asiimwe and Calvin Echodu.
Minister, Office of the President in charge of Science, Technology and Innovation Eng. Asiimwe Jonard
Eng Jonard Asiimwe has emerged as one of the fast-rising technocrats within the National Resistance Movement (NRM), combining a background in engineering and the oil and gas sector with active grassroots mobilisation in Western Uganda.
He currently serves as the NRM chairperson for Hoima City and has increasingly positioned himself as part of a younger generation of leaders seeking to reshape the ruling party’s structures and ideology.
Within the NRM, Asiimwe has become known for advocating discipline, ideological clarity and grassroots empowerment.
He has publicly criticised the commercialization of politics, arguing that leaders should focus on economic empowerment and mentorship rather than distributing money to voters during campaigns.
He has also pushed for stronger accountability mechanisms within party structures and greater engagement with ordinary supporters at village level.
Asiimwe gained wider political visibility after declaring his bid for the influential position of NRM Vice Chairperson for Western Uganda on the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC). He joined a crowded field of contenders seeking to shape the future direction of the ruling party in the region.
His campaign focused heavily on youth mobilisation, digital transformation of party systems, patriotism and strengthening service delivery monitoring across government programmes.
Beyond party politics, Asiimwe has built a reputation as a technocrat involved in Uganda’s oil, gas and infrastructure sectors, including projects linked to Kabaale International Airport and the Tilenga oil development activities.
His supporters within the NRM view him as part of a new crop of educated professionals being groomed for higher leadership responsibilities within the party and government structures.
Asiimwe makes his debut to Museveni’s cabinet as minister in charge of science, innovations and technology, taking over from Monica Musenero who has been sent to another docket.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, International Affairs: Hon. Calvin Echodu
Calvin Echodu has in recent years emerged as one of the rising figures within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), particularly in Eastern Uganda and the Teso sub-region.
A businessman, philanthropist and founder of Pilgrim Africa, Echodu built his profile through community development initiatives, youth empowerment programmes and grassroots mobilisation before becoming increasingly active in mainstream party politics.
His growing influence within the NRM saw him launch a challenge for the party’s powerful Eastern Region vice chairperson seat, positioning himself as a leader promising “new energy” within the ruling party.
Echodu’s political rise gained momentum during the 2025–2026 election cycle when he intensified mobilisation efforts across Eastern Uganda while seeking to strengthen the NRM’s grassroots structures.
His rallies in Teso attracted large crowds and endorsements from party mobilisers and local leaders who viewed him as a unifying figure capable of reviving the party’s fortunes in the region. He also campaigned heavily on service delivery, accountability and development-focused politics.
At the parliamentary level, Echodu contested for the Soroti City West MP seat on the NRM ticket and secured victory in the 2026 general elections.
He defeated FDC-linked incumbent Jonathan Ebwalu after polling 7,931 votes against Ebwalu’s 6,031 votes, helping the NRM make major political gains in Soroti City, an area historically dominated by opposition politics. His victory was celebrated by party supporters as evidence of the NRM’s growing acceptance in Teso.
Echodu makes his debut to Museveni’s cabinet as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of International Affairs.
You can see the list of ministers who were dropped from Museveni cabinet Here.
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.
