Uganda’s veteran opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye has formally unveiled his ‘People’s Government’ cabinet and parliament almost three years since he swore himself in as ‘president’.

In May 2016, Besigye, of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), took oath in a mock swearing ceremony in May 2018 in an undisclosed location in the capital Kampala.

He claimed he had garnered 52 per cent of the total votes cast in the February 2016 presidential election — his fourth attempt at the ballot with Yoweri Museveni, a man for whom he was personal doctor in a five-year bush war.

Besigye still faces treason charges for the parallel inauguration.

In his new year’s message, Besigye declared 2019 a year of action.

And with his new cabinet and assembly, Besigye hopes to end Museveni’s 33-year rule.

Besigye’s cabinet officially unveiled in Wakiso on Thursday includes Kampala lord mayor Erias Lukwago as deputy president.

FDC’s vice president for eastern Uganda Salaamu Musumba is the prime minister of the People’s Government while Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda is her deputy.

The People’s Assembly elected Oduman Okello as speaker and Cissy Ssempa Nabatanzi as his deputy Speaker.

Budadiri West MP Nathan Nandala Mafabi is the finance minister while Wilbeforce Kyambadde is the junior minister.

Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze Bakireke is the information minister. Kennedy Okello is the junior minister in this docket.

Former leader of opposition in parliament, Phillip Wafula Oguttu, will be the minister in charge of presidency while Buhweju MP Francis Mwijukye will be the junior minister in that docket.

FDC strong-woman Ingrid Turinawe is the internal affairs minister while Kawempe South MP Mubarak Munyagwa is the junior minister.

FULL PEOPLE’S GOVERNMENT CABINET LIST

PRESIDENT: Dr Kizza Besigye
Deputy President: Erias Lukwago
Prime Minister: Proscovia Salaamu Musumba
Deputy Prime Minister: Ibrahim Semuju Nganda

PRESIDENTIAL COUNCIL OF STATE

1. AMB. WASSWA BIRIGWA
2. JOHN KEN LUKYAMUZI
3. PATRICK OBOI AMURIAT
4. BETTY AOL OCHAN
5. CHAPAA KARUHANGA

Speaker: Oudman Okello

Deputy Speaker: Nabantazi Cissy Ssempa

MINISTERS
1. Presidency
Wafula Oguttu

State: Francis Mwijukye

2. Foreign Affairs
Atkins Katushabe

State: Paul Mutawe

3. Finance
Nathan Nandala Mafabi

State: Wilberforce Kyambande

4. Internal Affairs
Ingrid Turinawe

State: Mubarak Munyagwa

5. Local Government
Joyce Sebugwawo Naboosa

State: Harold Kaija

6. Trade, Industry & Cooperatives
Moses Kasibante

State: Roland Kaginda Mugume

7. Defence and Security
Jack Sabiti

State: Hassan Kaps Fungaroo

8. Energy & Mineral Resources
Harold Tony Muhindo

9. Works and Transport
William Nzoghu

State: Plan Virginia Mugyenyi

10. Education, Science & Technology
Margret Wokuli Madanda

State: Akello Franca

11. Agriculture, Animal Industry & Fisheries

Phillip P. Okin

12. Labor, Gender & Social Development

Kevina Taaka

State: Lucy Aciro

13. Health
Ekwaro Okello

State: Dominic Wakabi

14. Youth and Sports
Paga Gloria

State: Allan Ssewanyana

15. Information & KCCA
Betty Nambooze

State: Okello Keneddy

16. Water & Environment
Vincent Kyamadidi

State: Ann Adeke

17. Tourism & Wildlife
Gilbert Olanya

State: Nyanjura Doreen

18. Public Service
Jack wamanga Wamai

State: Jonathan Odour

19. Planning & Economic Development
Geofrey Ekanya

State: Micheal kabaziguruka

20. Justice, Constitutional & Attorney General
Yusuf Nsibambi

State: Moses Tugume.

Missing on Besigye’s cabinet is new kid on the political block and Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine.

Even when Besigye said his ‘government’ intended “to have as wide an inclusion of our political formations as possible”.

According to the FDC, the People’s Assembly comprises elected and prospective Members of Parliament drawn from across all Political Forces of Change who represents and uphold the voices of their Constituencies.

“The People’s Assembly agenda is organize around pushing for Regime Change as well bringing back Power to the People,” read part of a statement issued by FDC.

The party boasts of an assembly of “over 400 People’s MPs, drawn from FDC, DP, TJ, CP, UPC and Independents who uphold and represent the voices of their constituencies”.

Besigye said governors for 20 regions of the people’s government would be announced.

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