MPs to Museveni: Stop sidestepping Muslims

The parliamentary Muslim caucus has described President Yoweri Museveni’s latest appointments as a clear signal that shows the head of state’s disregard for the concerns of the Muslim community.

“As the Muslim community, we are disappointed that Mr Museveni continues making appointments in total disregard of the Muslims. Already the cabinet and the larger public sector have very few Muslims but when even he makes a mini cabinet Reshuffle still the Muslim community is left out,” the chairperson of the Parliamentary Muslim caucus, also Bugiri Municipality MP, Asuman Basalirwa, told journalists at Parliament.

On Thursday, March 21, Museveni announced a cabinet shake-up in which he dropped at least five ministers off his post-2021 election cabinet. There are only seven Muslim ministers – at least going by their religious names – in Museveni’s 81-member cabinet, four of whom are full cabinet ministers. These include Gen Moses Ali (2nd Prime Minister and deputy leader of government business in Parliament), Lukia Nakadama (3rd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without portfolio), Gen Abubaker Jeje Odong (Foreign Affairs) and Hajjat Minsa Kabanda (Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs).

Three others, Aisha Sekindi (Water), Hanifa Kawooya Bangirana (Health, General Duties) and Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo (Microfinance) are state ministers.

“We are very disappointed and this is a lesson to those Muslims hobnobbing with Museveni that he is not with you,” Basalirwa said.