On Tuesday, President Yoweri Museveni unveiled his cabinet for 2026-2031. He dropped 28 ministers, brought in new faces, and shifted others to different ministries.
Among the new entrants are five young leaders who share one thing in common: they are the children of former cabinet ministers.
Here’s a look at the next generation stepping into government:
Dr. Charles Ayume – Minister of State for Health (Primary Health Care)
Dr. Charles Ayume is a medical doctor and Koboko Municipality MP, now serving his second term in Parliament on the NRM ticket. He follows in his father’s footsteps. His late father, Francis Ayume, was Koboko Municipality MP and Speaker of Parliament from 1998 to 2001 during the sixth Parliament.
Francis Ayume also served as Attorney General until he died in a car crash in 2004. Now, his son takes on a health docket in the new cabinet.
Shartsi Musherure – Minister of State for Finance (Microfinance)
Shartsi Kutesa Musherure is the new State Minister for Finance in charge of Microfinance. She was MP for Mawogola County North in Sembabule district during the 11th Parliament.
Shartsi is the daughter of Sam Kuteesa, former Minister for Foreign Affairs. She is also the twin sister of Charlotte Kainerugaba, wife of Chief of Defence Forces and Special Presidential Advisor Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
She took over the Mawogola seat from her father after a contested NRM primary against President Museveni’s brother, Godfrey Aine Kaguta, known as “Sodo”. She did not run in the 2026 election after meeting with President Museveni.
Sodo was endorsed as the NRM candidate and won the seat.
Justine Nameere – Minister of State for Local Government
Justine Nameere joins cabinet as Minister of State for Local Government. She is the daughter of Vincent Ssempijja, who served as Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, and later as Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
Nameere was declared Masaka City Woman MP-elect after a controversial vote recount in the 2026 general elections. Chief Magistrate Albert Asiimwe presided over the recount, which overturned the Electoral Commission’s earlier declaration of Rose Nalubowa as the winner.
Siraje Musa Ali – Minister of State for Works
Lawyer Siraje Musa Ali is the new Minister of State for Works. He is the son of Gen. Moses Ali, who was Second Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament. Gen. Moses Ali served in cabinet for years before being dropped in the latest reshuffle, paving the way for his son to enter government.
Desire Muhooza – Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries
Kiboga District Woman MP Desire Muhooza is now Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. She is the daughter of Gen. Salim Saleh, President Museveni’s brother. Gen. Saleh served as Minister of State for Microfinance from 2006 to 2008 and is currently Senior Presidential Advisor on Defence and Security and Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation.
