Parliament begins vetting 81 Ministerial Nominees

By Our Reporter

Parliament’s Committee on Appointments has commenced the vetting of 81 individuals nominated for various ministerial positions in the newly proposed government.

The exercise, which began on Monday, June 1, 2026, is being conducted by the Committee on Appointments chaired by Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth and deputized by Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa. The committee is expected to complete the vetting process by Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

The ministerial nominees were appointed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on May 26, 2026, as part of the new Cabinet for the 2026–2031 term. Parliament subsequently approved the composition of the Committee on Appointments during a plenary sitting held on Thursday last week.

The committee comprises Members of Parliament drawn from across the political divide, including the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, alongside representatives from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), opposition parties, and independent legislators.

The vetting exercise commenced at 7:30 a.m., with several high-profile nominees already appearing before the committee. Among those who interacted with the committee on the opening day were Dr. Crispus Kiyonga, nominated as Second Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament; Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, nominated as Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries; and Hon. Jonard Asiimwe, nominated as Minister in the Office of the President in charge of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The Committee on Appointments is one of Parliament’s Standing Committees, with members serving a term of two and a half years.

Its primary mandate is to scrutinize, vet, and either approve or reject individuals nominated by the President for senior public offices, ministerial positions, and certain constitutional and judicial appointments.

The ongoing vetting process represents a critical constitutional requirement before the nominated ministers can formally assume office and begin executing their respective responsibilities within government.

The committee is expected to conclude the exercise on Tuesday before presenting its report to the House for consideration and approval.

The outcome of the vetting process will pave the way for the formal swearing-in of successful nominees and the operationalization of President Museveni’s new Cabinet as it begins implementing the government’s agenda for the 2026–2031 term.