President Museveni has released a list of newly appointed senior presidential advisors in which he among others retained the First Son Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba and Gen Salim Saleh.
In accordance with Article 172 (1) (a) of the Constitution the president has reappointed his son Gen Muhoozi as the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations.
Gen Muhoozi has recently been seen by many as being controversial, because of irritating tweets which have left many with tongues in the cheeks.
Late last month, Gen Muhoozi dared President Museveni to sack him if he can.
“I will capture Nairobi surely! That’s my hometown. If any Kenyan tries to stop me, he’ll be in hot soup! We will drink him for dinner. My father can sack me again if he wants,” Gen Muhoozi tweeted in January.
However, the latest list of presidential advisors indicates that Museveni still has so much trust in his son.
In the latest list, the president has retained but also promoted former Minister without Portfolio, Hajji Abdul Nadduli to senior presidential advisor on Political/Mobilization where he will have terms and benefits of a cabinet minister.
The reappointment comes on the backdrop of Nadduli’s lashing out to the ruling NRM party that he said could be headed for disaster if it doesn’t check itself.
“We fought against the abductions and many other brutal acts but this is what we are witnessing now.I believe that President Museveni would not be happy when his own family members and the other relatives are abducted and detained on trumped-up charges in a country that he helped liberate 30 years ago.We have seen empires that once ruled the world later collapse. We had the Roman Empire, the Germans and the French. All these are no more. NRM party is not an exception,” Nadduli told Daily Monitor in December last year.
The strong words came a few months after the burial of Nadduli’s son, Jakana who died shortly after being released from prison, having been arrested by security and charged over sectarianism.
Others reappointed by Museveni include former Vice President, Specioza Wandira Kazibwe as the Senior Presidential Advisor on population, and health issues under the Ministry of Health , former army commander and Operation Wealth Creation chief coordinator, Gen Salim Saleh as Senior Presidential Advisor on Defence, Dr.Ezra Suruma as the Senior Presidential Advisor on Finance and Economic Planning , all on terms of a cabinet minister.
The president has also reappointed former State Minister for Security in Obote’s government, Chris Rwakasisi as the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Duties whereas former Minister for Trade, Amelia Kyambadde is the Senior Presidential Advisor on Industry and Prof. Edward Rugumayo is the Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs .
Among the newly appointed advisors is the former Minister of State for Housing and former NRM Vice Chairperson for Northern Region, Sam Engola who is now the Senior Presidential Advisor on Lango Affairs whereas former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Prof. Sheikh Mohamed Ahmed Kisuule, is the Senior Presidential Advisor on Middle East.