PM Robinah Nabbanja
Tororo District Woman Member of Parliament Sarah Opendi has praised outgoing Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, describing her tenure as effective, decisive, and results-oriented despite early public doubts about her appointment.
Speaking on Thursday night during an interview on the NBS Frontline political talk show, Opendi said Nabbanja had demonstrated a leadership style that set her apart from some of her predecessors, particularly in her direct involvement in government operations and service delivery oversight.
“When the cabinet was appointed, many people had doubts in the Rt. Hon. Nabbanja but I think she has done a good job. She has been tough and was hands on unlike some Prime Ministers we've had previously,” Opendi said during the televised discussion.
Her remarks come at a time when President Yoweri Museveni is winding up the current Cabinet ahead of his anticipated swearing-in ceremony scheduled for May 12, 2026.
The President recently hosted a farewell luncheon for his ministers at State House, Entebbe, where he commended them for their service and contribution to government programmes and national development priorities.
Opendi, a seasoned legislator and former minister, argued that Nabbanja’s leadership should be assessed based on delivery rather than public perception or initial skepticism that surrounded her appointment to the country’s top executive office.
“People have different work methods. You have been assigned an office and it's up to you to use whatever works to deliver. Nabbanja was hands on,” she added.
Nabbanja, who has served as Uganda’s first female Prime Minister, has often been characterised by supporters as a pragmatic administrator who prioritised field engagement and direct supervision of government programmes, particularly in health, infrastructure, and service delivery sectors.
Opendi’s comments add to ongoing political reflection on the outgoing Cabinet’s performance, as government officials and political leaders assess the legacy of the administration ahead of a new term.
While praising Nabbanja, Opendi also underscored the importance of evaluating leaders based on outcomes, suggesting that leadership styles may differ but effectiveness remains the key measure of success.
Her remarks are likely to contribute to broader national conversations about executive performance and leadership transitions within Uganda’s top government offices, especially as attention shifts toward the formation of the next Cabinet after the swearing-in.