I will miss certain ministerial privileges — Ecweru
“As I hand over, I will, of course, miss a few things,” sais Ecweru.
The new state Minister for Works, Siraji Musa Ali (right) taking over the office, replacing Musa Ecweru (left). June 10, 2026. (Courtesy photo)
________________
Former works state minister Musa Ecweru has said he will miss certain privileges he used to enjoy as minister for 20 years, such as a diplomatic passport and a posh vehicle to travel comfortably.
He made the remarks at the ministry of works and transport headquarters in Kampala on Wednesday (June 10) while handing over office to Siraji Musa Ali, son of Adjumani West MP Gen Moses Ali, the former Second Deputy Prime Minister.
“As I hand over, I will, of course, miss a few things. Next week, I will be handing over my diplomatic passport so that I can get an ordinary one for wananchi (ordinary citizens). So, I will be moving to the airports without the kind of privileges that I have been enjoying,” Ecweru, who is also the former Amuria County MP, said.
It confers privileges, such as visa exemptions, access to Very Important Persons (VIP) lounges at airports, and often, expedited services while abroad.
Ecweru, 61, was a former Soroti Resident District Commissioner before he joined elective politics in 2006 and became MP as well as state minister for disaster preparedness and refugees.
He represented Amuria County in Parliament for 20 years. The constituency is now represented by Samuel Ediau, who defeated Ecweru in the National Resistance Movement party primaries in July 2025.
Losing a seat in a general election is likened to being sacked in public in front of the cheering supporters of the winner. It can be an upsetting and humiliating experience.
Crispin Kaheru, a seasoned election observer and member of Uganda Human Rights Commission, told New Vision Online that life outside political offices is very hard for some of the former MPs and ministers.
“With elective offices comes political appointments. That is always an enduring motivation for many of the former MPs to come back. They get good salaries, perks and of course power. Very few of them are in this for service,” he said.
Kaheru emphasised that many of the former lawmakers who make a comeback want power, wealth and security for themselves.