Former Prime Minister John Patrick Amama Mbabazi is expected to make it to President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni’s cabinet list, joining the trinity of the most important and powerful men in the new Government.
Since mending relations with his former boss, Amama Mbabazi, a 2016 presidential candidate and former ruling NRM secretary general, has been widely expected to return to cabinet.
Recently, his appearance at Kololo Independence Grounds for Museveni’s inauguration was greeted with a round of applause and cheers from guests.
Whether he returns as prime minister, vice president or NRM secretary general, Mbabazi is expected to join Speaker of Parliament Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah and Chief Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo on the list of men who matter in Museveni’s new Government.
Oulanyah is the head of the legislative arm of government, Owiny-Dollo leads the judiciary, and Mbabazi is expected to become the ‘Mr Fix it’ for the Museveni-led executive arm and the ruling party.
Since Mbabazi’s sacking in 2014, Museveni’s government has been lacking a politician with the experience and prowess akin to the former premier’s, some analysts have argued.
If Mbabazi makes it to cabinet, he will be one of the most powerful men in government.
Before his exit from government, Mbabazi was, arguably the most powerful figure in cabinet and ruling NRM party.
But his power had ignited his ambition, prompting him to challenge Museveni in a presidential election – and thus becoming a threat springing from government.
Ambition and threat to power might be the key factors that might stop Mbabazi’s return to cabinet, unless he is returning to the succession queue.
