President Yoweri Museveni has reportedly revised his latest cabinet appointments following strong criticism over the appointment of Justine Kasule Lumumba as Government Chief Whip in Parliament.
Lumumba has now been redeployed to the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance.
Lumumba’s initial appointment as Parliamentary Chief Whip sparked backlash from sections of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), opposition politicians, and members of the public, with critics arguing that she does not currently represent any constituency in Parliament and therefore was unsuitable for the role.
Several Members of Parliament reportedly questioned the decision, describing Lumumba as “a stranger in Parliament” because she is not an elected legislator in the current House.
The criticism triggered widespread debate on social media and within political circles, prompting what insiders describe as a reconsideration of the appointment by the President.
On Thursday, Lumumba appeared to confirm her redeployment through a post on her X account, where she expressed gratitude to President Museveni for entrusting her with the ICT docket.
“I am honoured by the trust and ready to serve with dedication towards Uganda’s digital transformation agenda,” Lumumba posted.
Lumumba previously served as Minister for General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister and also held the influential position of Secretary General of the NRM party.
Her new assignment at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance places her at the centre of government efforts to expand digital services, information management, and communication strategies.
Neither State House nor the Presidency had by press time issued an official statement explaining the reshuffle or the circumstances surrounding the changes in the cabinet appointments.
English 