President Museveni’s latest Cabinet reshuffle has brought to an apparent end the three-decade ministerial career of former Karamoja Affairs minister Peter Lokeris.
Mr Lokeris entered elective politics in 1996 as MP for Chekwii County in the then Nakapiripirit District, quickly rising to national prominence after being appointed minister of State for Karamoja Affairs. The appointment cemented his position as a key political figure and intermediary between Karamoja and the central government.
Before joining politics, Mr Lokeris served in various administrative and financial roles across Karamoja and other districts, including as cashier and internal auditor in Moroto District, a chief accountant in Kotido District, and administrative secretary in Moroto, Kasese and Jinja districts. He later lost his parliamentary seat for Chekwii East to NRM flag bearer Stephenson Lokoru in the 2026 general election but remained at the helm of Karamoja Affairs ministry, deputised by State Minister Florence Nambozo Wamala.
In a statement issued by his personal assistant Santo Obwoch, the former minister said he had received the reshuffle with ‘utmost faith and humility,’ adding that he remained a loyal cadre of the NRM. ‘I have been a loyal cadre and remain a loyal NRM cadre. Whatever decision the President made, I take it in good faith,’ he said. Mr Obwoch said his principal was in good spirits following the announcement. ‘I was with him 30 minutes ago. He is well and in a sound mood,’ he added.
Residents of Karamoja have since reflected on Mr Lokeris’s long political career, with some crediting him for playing a central role in the region’s pacification and disarmament efforts. Ms Stella Rose Nakwang, a resident of Matany Town Council in Napak District, said Mr Lokeris would be remembered for his contribution to the disarmament programme of the early 2000s. ‘Because of that, the entire Karamoja is calm. He moved from one area to another engaging elders and kraal leaders to surrender illegal guns for peace and development,’ she said.
She added that the visible transformation in the region, including infrastructure development, was partly due to his efforts.
‘We are seeing factories and tarmac roads beginning to change the face of Karamoja. That I attribute to his contribution,’ she said. Mr Paul Abura, a metal fabricator in Moroto Town, said the reshuffle could be part of a broader strategy to introduce younger leaders into the region’s political leadership. ‘Maybe the President now wants to groom a new set of leaders in Karamoja, and that is why he has decided to retire Mr Lokeris from Cabinet,’ he said.