The two-day orientation meeting for newly sworn-in MPs of the 12th Parliament took a political turn as attention shifted to the cabinet ministers recently appointed by President Museveni.
Throughout the gathering, many MPs were seen congratulating colleagues who had been appointed to cabinet and expressing support for them ahead of the new term.
One of the ministers who attracted attention was Harriet Ntabaazi, the newly appointed State Minister for Lands.
Ntabaazi, who returned to Parliament as Woman MP for Bundibugyo District, said she was grateful for the appointment.
“I would like to thank the President for appointing me State Minister for Lands. This appointment is not something I take for granted. It is because of the confidence he has in my abilities and leadership skills,” Ntabaazi said.
She was seen being congratulated by several MPs, including Christopher Kibanzanga, the MP for Bughendera County, Ruth Rujoki, the Woman MP for Kiruhura, and Bunyaruguru County MP Benjamin Cadet.
Gen Henry Tumukunde, who was appointed minister in the Gender ministry, also received a warm welcome from fellow legislators.
Many MPs used the occasion to build relationships with the newly appointed ministers, hoping to lobby for support for projects in their constituencies.
Kampala Central MP Minsa Kabanda, who returned to cabinet as Minister for Kampala, was seated opposite Kawempe South MP Madina Nsereko during the orientation sessions.
The presence of the new ministers dominated discussions at the meeting, with many MPs trying to sit close to them as a sign of support and comradeship.
At one point, seating arrangements changed as some ministers, including Nakadama, moved closer to congratulate Kabanda on her reappointment.
Nakadama thanked President Museveni for reappointing her to cabinet.
She said she would continue supervising ministries and departments under the Office of the Prime Minister, including Teso Affairs, Bunyoro Affairs, Luweero Triangle, Northern Uganda, Refugees, and Disaster Preparedness.
Kabanda said she would focus on completing road projects under the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area programme and maintaining cooperation with Kampala Capital City Authority.
“I thank the President for giving me a second chance to serve the people of Kampala and Uganda as a whole because Kampala is the capital city that welcomes everyone. I am ready to deliver under my mandate,” Kabanda said.
Jacqueline Mbabazi, the newly appointed State Minister for the Elderly in the Gender ministry, also thanked Museveni for the appointment. She promised to improve services for older persons across the country.
Mbabazi is the wife of former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi.
Phyllis Chemutai, the new State Minister for Primary Education, said she would prioritise improving school infrastructure, education standards, and the Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme, which has faced criticism over poor performance in recent years.
However, some MPs raised concerns about regional and gender balance in cabinet appointments.
Kamuli Municipality MP Martin Muzaale complained that the Busoga sub-region had been unfairly represented because most of the cabinet appointments from the area went to women, while male politicians were left out.
Ora County MP Grace Freedom Kwiyucwinyi urged the new leadership to address long-standing challenges affecting the region.
Several MPs from northern Uganda, including Edward Makmot of Agago County, Martin Ojara Mapenduzi of Gulu West Division, and Dennis Onekalit of Kitgum Municipality, said they would support the new ministers as long as they focused on issues affecting ordinary Ugandans.
They cited access to electricity, clean water, jobs, poverty eradication, and education as some of the key issues the new cabinet should prioritise.
