Norbert Mao, the leader of the Democratic Party, has been chosen by President Museveni as the minister of justice and constitutional affairs. Hon. Peter Muruli Mukasa, the current Public Service Minister who has been acting Justice Minister since last year, is replaced by Mao.

The nomination was confirmed in a letter dated July 21, in which the President named Mao as the new Justice Minister, among other cabinet reshuffles.

“I, therefore, appoint the individuals listed below to the positions of cabinet ministers and ministers of state in accordance with the powers granted to the President by Articles 113 (1) and 114 (1) of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda.” In a letter on his official Twitter handle, Mr. Museveni stated that Hon. Norbert Mao, Chairman General of the Democratic Party, is now the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.



Other cabinet changes include the appointment of Hon. Hanson Obua as the new Government Chief Whip. This position remained open following the departure of Thomas Tayebwa, who was appointed deputy speaker of Parliament.

Obua has been replaced by Minister Peter Ogwang as the new State Minister for Education (Sports Category), while Ogwang has been replaced by Agago woman MP Hon. Beatrice Okello as the State Minister for Economic Monitoring.

Mao's selection comes precisely one day after the opposition party negotiated a decent deal with the president and national chairman of the ruling National Resistance Movement party (NRM) to cooperate for a better Uganda. The agreement was sealed on Wednesday at the Entebbe State House.