Museveni rallies for Sovereignty Bill in bitter-sweet final Cabinet session

President Museveni is seen on a giant screen as he delivers remarks during what he described as the final Cabinet meeting and luncheon of the outgoing government at State House Uganda on May 4, 2026. PHOTO/HANDOUT

The curtain came down on the last Cabinet sitting of the current government on Monday, a gathering that carried both a sense of gratitude for service rendered to the nation over the last five years and the gnawing uncertainty of what the next phase might hold.

The luncheon, which kicked off at 2pm and wound up at 5pm, was first addressed by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, who gave an account of her tenure in office, a paper she said would be circulated for all ministers to chew over.

She lauded President Museveni for giving women a seat at the table, citing the PM, Vice President Maj Jessica Alupo, and Parliament Speaker Anita Among.

She also praised the Parish Development Model (PDM) as the “magic bullet,” adding that it was the reason for which Ugandans renewed the mandate of the NRM in the January elections.

Vice President, Maj Alupo, also took the floor, thanking Mr Museveni for entrusting her with the role of chairing Cabinet from time to time and for giving her confidence in service.

When Museveni rose to speak, he hammered home his support for the Sovereignty Bill, clarifying that it seeks to clip the wings of external forces meddling in Uganda’s political decisions.

He added that “we should not disturb ourselves with money coming to churches and donations as they are not the reason for the sovereignty Bill.”

Mr Museveni urged the caucus (meeting Tuesday) to carry the torch on the Bill and discuss it with the intention of not choking off income flows for productive projects by churches and donor-funded development initiatives.

Mr Museveni praised the Cabinet for steering the country into middle-income status and touched on corruption.

“This is the Cabinet that ushered Uganda into the middle-income status, I want to thank everyone who contributed, the secretariat of cabinet for managing the business of cabinet and mobilisation, hence the victory of the 2026 presidential elections is not my victory but the victory of all of us,” he said.

“Now the upcoming cabinet is for us to put a total end to corruption and taking bribes of any nature. I also expect the future cabinet to ensure collective decision making, making decisions without the blessings of others is detrimental and I discourage it,” Mr Museveni warned.

However, a cheerful audience soon lost the smile when Mr Museveni revealed he had a list of corrupt officials and was gathering proof before arresting them.

At that moment, the tents fell dead silent.

What you should know

Cabinet meetings are convened under the authority of the President, who also chairs them. When the President is unavailable, the Vice President takes charge, and if both are absent, a minister appointed in writing by the President presides.

The exiting 2021-2026 cabinet included 32 full ministers alongside 50 Ministers of State.

Museveni is expected to name a new Cabinet following his swearing-in for a seventh elective 5-year term on May 12.