Former government spokesperson and veteran politician Ofwono Opondo has raised sharp concerns over the effectiveness of Uganda’s cabinet vetting process, describing it as largely symbolic and unlikely to produce meaningful accountability.
Speaking during an interview on NBS Television on Thursday night, Opondo questioned the role of Parliament’s vetting committee, arguing that it has failed to decisively assess the performance of returning ministers.
He said the process has been reduced to a “ritual,” lacking the rigor needed to filter out underperforming officials.
“Vetting of cabinet ministers is now a ritual in my view. The committee that vets should be able to throw out ministers who served in the previous regime but can't show any of their achievements,” Opondo stated.
His remarks come in the wake of President Yoweri Museveni’s latest cabinet appointments, which have drawn mixed reactions from political observers and sections of the public.
While some have welcomed continuity in key dockets, critics argue that the reshuffle fell short of expectations for reform and renewal.
Opondo suggested that the President’s governance approach has evolved to accommodate a wide range of appointees, regardless of their individual competence.
He claimed that the system is structured in a way that allows government operations to continue even when some ministers fall short of expectations.
“The President has found a way of doing his work even when he has appointed, for lack of a better word, an incompetent or hopeless person,” he said.
The former MP further noted that the latest cabinet composition did not signal any major policy or leadership shift.
According to him, expectations for a transformative reshuffle were always unlikely given the President’s longstanding approach to appointments.
“I don't think many people expected the President to make a significant shift when forming this cabinet,” Opondo observed.
Despite his criticism, Opondo acknowledged that some ministers in the new lineup could still deliver results.
However, he expressed skepticism about the overall performance of the cabinet, warning that inefficiency could remain widespread.
“There will be ministers who will deliver, but the majority won't,” he said.
His comments add to the growing debate around governance, accountability, and public service delivery in Uganda, particularly at a time when citizens are increasingly demanding tangible results from government officials.
The effectiveness of the new cabinet is expected to remain under close scrutiny in the coming months.