New ministers sworn in

By Vision Reporter

New ministers have taken oath at a function held at State House Entebbe.

Presiding over the swearing ceremony, President Yoweri Museveni said this term of government must be of action not endless talk and depending on civil servants.

The President added that he expects the new ministers to be leaders of a new type who interact with civil servants to be knowledgeable to avoid being misled.

He warned ministers against unnecessary foreign travel, saying excessive travelling is a lack of seriousness, likening it to a local proverb which says, a woman who travels constantly never fills her milk calabash.

The new faces in cabinet include: Frank Tumwebaze, Minister for the Presidency, Richard Todwong Minister without Portfolio in-charge of political mobilisation, Aidha Nantaba, Minister of State for Lands, and Ernest Kiiza, Minister of State for Bunyoro Affairs.

Others are Rosemary Najjemba, Minister of State for Urban Development, Sarah Kataike Ndoboli, Minister of State for Health and Shem Bagaine Minister of State for East African Affairs.

 “A few weeks ago I gave a lecture and gave out what I thought were problems in the last 50 years and solutions in next 50 years. Being elected to a position is for a purpose... for a reason. That reason is for the good of the people not just for your good. As MPs, you ought to be conscious of these challenges which we have identified. We have put them in manifestos’ of NRM in successive elections we have had. As MP even before you become minister, you should know it’s your duty to push forward any of these programmes if they come to your line of duty expeditiously,” Museveni said.

The President also warned minister against absconding from cabinet meetings.

“Many of them don’t attend cabinet meetings and don’t tell the Vice President or Prime Minister who chair the Cabinet or seek permission, I’m going to issue very strict instructions to ensure that cabinet ministers attend their meetings on Wednesday and if they are to be away must get permission from the Prime Minister,” he said.

 “There is a problem of decision making because people are not sure. To be lead by people who are not sure is a disaster. Am not saying you should be a dictator but you must guide people firmly. This is an intellectual job. Plan your work well despite having other demands in the constituency, parliament, cabinet and wanainchi,” he said.

The President also warned against unnecessary travel.

“Why travel too much? Me am exploiting the Vice President Ssekandi, he went to Australia, the UN, CHOGM etc. You ministers why must you travel? Why not exploit our ambassadors who are in those countries to attend and write reports.
What ministerial thing are you going to do there? To represent our country, ambassadors can do that or undersecretaries so that you do your work of decision making,” he said.

The ceremony was attended by the Vice President Kiwanuka Ssekkandi, the Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki, The deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanya and the Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi.

Others were commissioner General Uganda Prisons Johnson Byabasaija, IGP Kale Kayihura, various ministers and permanent secretaries.