Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Gen Salim Sale hasn`t survived being knifed by Museveni in the cabinet reshuffle

SOME OF TOP MUSEVENI`S CABINET MINISTERS KNIFED!
Museveni announced the long-awaited Cabinet reshuffle late last night, with big surprises. In the shake-up, Museveni dropped ministers Dr. Ezra Suruma for finance, Gen Salim Saleh (micro-finance), Ham Muliira (ICT), Maj. James Kinobe (youth), Dr. Atwooki Kasirivu (lands), Prof. Semakula Kiwanuka (investment) and Kagimu Kiwanuka for economic monitoring. The big new comers are First Lady Janet Museveni who is now state minister for Karamoja, Gen Jeje Odongo bounced back as state minister for defence, replacing Ruth Nankabirwa who takes over from Saleh. Veteran minister Syda Bbumba made history when she became Uganda’s first woman finance minister. A banker, Bbumba first served in energy before moving to gender. Another veteran female minister Hajat Janat Mukwaya moved from trade to general duties in the Prime Minister’s office. The other surprise appointment was veteran politician Aggrey Awori now ICT minister, MP Joseph Kakooza is now rimary health state minister, the Rev. Father Simon Lodo is state minister for industry, Asuman Kiyingi replaces Kasirivu as state minister for lands. The new state minister for economic monitoring is Kisira Mbuza while Jessica Alupo takes youth and children affairs. Henry Bagiire is state for agriculture. Kinobe, Ssemakula Kiwanuka and Kagimu Kiwanuka have been appointed ambassadors together with Mrs. Angelina Wapakhabulo and former minister Betty Akech. Vice-President Prof Gilbert Bukenya has retained kept his job just as Premier Apolo Nsibambi and deputy premiers Eriya Kategaya and Henry Kajura also did. Others who kept their positions are security minister Amama Mbabazi, defence minister Dr Crispus Kiyonga, foreign minister Sam Kutesa, works minister John Nasasira, attorney general Khiddu Makubuya. However, controversial local government minister Major General Kahinda Otafiire now becomes trade minister replacing Mukwaya. Gabriel Opio has been elevated to gender minister from education state minister, Adolf Mwesigye takes over local government, Daudi Migereko is Chief Whip, Hillary Onek has moved from agriculture to energy while Kabakumba Masiko is now minister for information and national guidance. Hope Mwesigye who has been state local government minister has also been elevated to powerful but delicate agriculture minister. But third deputy prime minister Kirunda Kivejinja has now taken over the internal affairs that became vacant after Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda was appointed permanent representative to the United Nations early this year.. Suruma was appointed Senior Presidential Advisor for finance and economic planning while Gen. Saleh is Senior Presidential advisor for defence and former Vice-president Dr Wandira Kazibwe bounced back as senior advisor on micro-finance. Other senior presidential advisors are Moses Kizige (special duties in foreign affairs), Kasirivu Atwoki (land matters) and Hamu-Mukasa Mulira (ICT).