Parliament Officially Approves Museveni Decision to Increase Number of Ministers

The decision followed a motion tabled before the House by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, shortly after Parliament approved her appointment together with that of Vice President Jessica Alupo.

While presenting the motion, Nabbanja explained that the President had resolved to enlarge the Executive in order to improve government operations and respond to emerging national demands.

“For the efficient running of the State, the President has determined that there is need to increase the total number of Cabinet Ministers from twenty-one to thirty, and the total number of Other Ministers from 21 to 51,” Nabbanja noted.

She argued that Uganda’s growing population and expanding governance responsibilities had created pressure for broader political representation and stronger service delivery structures.

“Flagship programmes such as the parish development model, EMYOGA initiative and climate resilience strategies require dedicated ministerial oversight to ensure effective implementation. Specialized portfolios are needed to coordinate cross-cutting programmes, monitor government performance and guarantee accountability at grassroots level. Under service delivery and efficiency, more ministers allow specialisation, clear mandates and stronger oversight,” Nabbanja added.

The motion received support from Kyaka South County MP Jackson Kafuuzi, the Deputy Attorney General designate, who seconded the proposal and defended Parliament’s constitutional role in approving changes to the size of Cabinet.

“The framers of the constitution anticipated evolving governance needs and deliberately vested parliament with the authority to approve the adjustments. This is not a departure from the law, but its faithful application,” Kafuuzi said.

He further maintained that parliamentary approval acts as a safeguard against unchecked expansion of government positions while preserving accountability.

Despite the approval, several legislators opposed the proposal and urged the House to retain the constitutional limits under Articles 113(2) and 114(3).

Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze appealed to fellow legislators to reject the increase and instead test whether the constitutionally provided numbers could effectively run government.

“If there is any governance gap that has been created, it can be fixed by the local leaders. I want to appeal to colleagues that for the first time in the history of this country, let us stay this motion and try out the number of ministers as given in the constitution,” said Nambooze.

Chief Opposition Whip Paul Mwiru also argued that reducing the number of ministers would free up more resources for public services rather than administration.

“The framers of the constitution defined these numbers and government has not moved to amend these provisions. Actually, when we reduce their number, it is in their interest that we are finding more money for service delivery. Let us maintain the numbers as they are in the constitution and we see how it how it works out,” Mwiru proposed.

Meanwhile, Kassanda County North MP Patrick Nsamba referenced the recent rationalisation of government agencies and called for a similar reduction in ministerial positions.

Nabbanja, however, dismissed concerns that government was introducing entirely new political offices, insisting that the proposed structure largely reflects the existing operational arrangement within ministries.

“The number of ministers and ministers of state that have been carrying out duties is the same number we have brought. The rationalisation process was carried out because there was duplication of work in departments and agencies associated with different ministries,” Nabbanja noted.

You can see names of ministers in Museveni’s expanded cabinet HERE.

See list of new faces in Museveni’s cabinet and the ministers who were dropped from cabinet Here and There.

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