The announcement of President Museveni’s new Cabinet has revived a long-running debate in mid-western Uganda’s Kagadi District, where residents say decades of loyalty to the ruling party have failed to secure representation at the highest levels of government.
When Museveni unveiled his ministerial appointments last week, many residents hoped one of the district’s elected leaders would finally be appointed to Cabinet.
Instead, Kagadi was once again left without a minister, triggering disappointment among local leaders, religious figures and residents who say the district has been overlooked despite consistently backing the president and the ruling National Resistance Movement [NRM] party.
The district delivered 116,199 votes to Museveni in the 2026 election, equivalent to 87% of votes cast, according to official EC results. His closest challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, alias Bobi Wine, secured 14,992 votes.
For many residents, the result strengthened expectations that Kagadi would finally gain representation in Cabinet.
“We have always trusted NRM with our votes,” said Peter Karungi, a resident of Kagadi Town. “For more than four decades, Kagadi has remained without Cabinet representation.”
Kagadi, which was carved out of the former Kibaale District in 2016 alongside neighbouring districts, has watched nearby areas secure Cabinet appointments while it remained unrepresented.
Sheikh Isingoma Muhammad, the district Kadhi, said many residents struggle to understand the omission.
“I have grown up without seeing a minister from Kagadi,” he said, adding: “We have capable people who can serve.”
Some local leaders urged patience, arguing that the president may still be assessing newly elected legislators before considering them for executive appointments.
District councillor Kato Maria said the election of a new parliamentary team could eventually improve the district’s chances.
“These are new Members of Parliament. The President may first want to observe their performance before assigning bigger responsibilities,” he said.
The issue has gained added prominence after voters swept out all parliamentary representatives from the previous Parliament during the 2026 elections.
Among the newly elected legislators is Buyaga East MP Stephen Twesige, who said residents had repeatedly raised concerns about the district’s absence from Cabinet.
“People expressed their wish to the President during the elections,” Twesige said, adding: “As their representative, it is my responsibility to amplify those voices.”
Opposition figures have sought to capitalize on the frustration.
Ayebale Kanyarutooke, coordinator of the Alliance for National Transformation in Kagadi, said activists were planning a symbolic day of mourning to protest the latest appointments.
“We have heard for years that Kagadi votes wrongly, but this time the district strongly supported the President and still got no representation,” he said.
Beyond politics, residents argue that the lack of Cabinet representation has coincided with persistent development challenges.
According to district officials, Kagadi still lacks several health facilities despite population growth and continues to push for municipal status for Kagadi Town Council.
Residents say stronger representation in government could help accelerate such projects.
Whether Cabinet appointments directly determine development outcomes remains debated. But in Kagadi, the latest reshuffle has renewed questions about the relationship between political loyalty, representation and access to government resources.