Hon. Asha Mafabi Nabulo Named to Parliament’s Appointments Committee Ahead of Ministerial Vetting

Hon. Asha Mafabi Nabulo has been named among members of Parliament’s powerful Appointments Committee that will vet ministers designate beginning Monday, 01 June 2026.

The committee was constituted during the plenary sitting of Parliament held on Thursday, 28 May 2026, chaired by Rt. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth(Speaker). The Appointments Committee plays a critical constitutional role in scrutinising presidential nominees before they assume ministerial office. 

Hon. Mafabi, who represents Sironko District on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket, joins a select group of legislators drawn from the ruling party, opposition, and independent members to undertake the highly anticipated vetting exercise of President Yoweri Museveni’s newly appointed ministers.

The committee is chaired by the Speaker of Parliament and deputised by the Deputy Speaker, with the Leader of the Opposition, Rt. Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, also sitting on the committee alongside other legislators from across the political divide.

Hon. Mafabi’s inclusion on the influential committee is viewed as a significant recognition of her growing role within Parliament and the NRM caucus. The Appointments Committee is one of the most important parliamentary committees, mandated to assess the competence, integrity, and suitability of presidential appointees before they are approved to serve in Cabinet and other constitutional offices.

The vetting exercise comes at a time when Parliament has approved an increase in the number of Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State following a government motion moved by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja.

During the Thursday plenary sitting, the House approved the increase of Cabinet Ministers from 21 to 30 and Ministers of State from 21 to 51 in accordance with Articles 113(2) and 114(3) of the Constitution of Uganda, which require parliamentary approval for any expansion beyond the constitutionally prescribed number.

While presenting the motion, Nabbanja argued that the country’s growing population and expanding governance demands had necessitated additional ministerial portfolios to improve service delivery and strengthen oversight of government programmes.

She cited flagship initiatives such as the Parish Development Model, Emyooga, and climate resilience programmes as requiring dedicated ministerial supervision to ensure effective implementation at the grassroots level.

“The efficient running of the State requires specialised portfolios to coordinate cross-cutting programmes, monitor government performance and guarantee accountability,” Nabbanja told the House.

The motion was seconded by Hon. Jackson Kafuuzi, who defended the constitutional basis for Parliament’s approval of the expanded Cabinet structure.

However, several opposition legislators opposed the proposal, arguing that government should instead maintain the number of ministers as originally stipulated in the Constitution and prioritise service delivery efficiency.

Among the dissenting voices were Hon. Betty Nambooze and Hon. Paul Mwiru, who questioned the necessity of expanding the executive arm of government amid ongoing rationalisation of agencies.

Despite the debate, Parliament proceeded to approve the increase, paving the way for the upcoming ministerial vetting process.

Hon. Mafabi will now participate in the scrutiny of ministers designate during the committee sessions scheduled to commence next week, as Parliament continues to shape the leadership structure of the newly constituted government.

Other members of the Appointments Committee include legislators from the NRM, opposition political parties, and independent members of Parliament, reflecting a broad representation of Uganda’s political landscape in the approval process of presidential appointments.

Is Your District Represented?

NEWLY CONSTITUTED APPOINTMENTS/VETTING COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENT*

1. Rt. Hon. Oboth-Oboth

2. Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa

NRM Members

1.    Hon. Catherine Akumu Mavenjina (NRM, Older Persons Representative, Northern Region)

2.    Hon. Jane Avur Pacuto (NRM, Pakwach District Woman Representative)

3.    Hon. Betty Awor Engola (NRM, Apac District Woman Representative

4.    Hon. Annet Birungi (NRM, Workers Representative)

5.    Hon. Sam Byibesho (NRM, Kisoro Municipality)

6.    Hon. Elma Challa Kapel (NRM, Youth Representative, Northern Region)

7.    Hon. Steven Gashaija Shyaka (NRM, Entebbe Municipality)

8.    Hon. Ruth Katushabe (NRM, Bukomansimbi District Woman Representative)

9.    Hon. Stephen Kisa Bakubalwayo (NRM, Luuka South County)

10.    Hon. Sowedi Kitanywa (NRM, Busongora County North)

11.    Hon. Keefa Kiwanuka (NRM, Kiboga East County)

12.    Hon. Christine Lanyero Awany (NRM, Nwoya District Woman Representative)

13.    Hon. Irene Linda (NRM, Fort Portal City Woman Representative)

14.    Hon. Asha Mafabi Nabulo (NRM, Sironko District Woman Representative)

15.    Hon. Judith Nagujja (NRM, Buvuma District Woman Representative)

16.    Hon. Faith Nakut Loru (NRM, Napak District Woman Representative)

17.    Hon. Alex Ndeezi (NRM, Persons With Disabilities Representative, Central Region)

18.    Hon. Madina Ntale Nsereko (NRM, Kawempe Division South MP, Kampala)

19.    Hon. Johnson Nyeko Kezekiya (NRM, Lamwo County)

20.    Hon. Simon Peter Opolot-Okwalinga (NRM, Kanyum County)

21.    Hon. Beatrice Rwakimari (NRM, Ruhaama County)

22.    Hon. Robina Rwakojo Gureme (NRM, Gomba West County)

23.    Hon. Genensio Tumuramye (NRM, Kashongi County)

24.    Hon. Fadil Twalla (NRM, Tingey County)

Opposition Members

1.    Hon. Betty Aol Ocan (PFF, Gulu City Woman Representative)

2.    Hon. Lucy Akello (FDC, Amuru District Woman Representative)

3.    Hon. Peter Okot (DP, Tochi County)

4.    Hon. Otuko Apio Eunice (UPC, Oyam County North)

5.    Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi Besekezi (NUP, Nakawa Division West)

6.    Hon. Paul Mwiru (NUP, Jinja South Division East)

7.    Hon. Sheilah Draville Amaniyo (NUP, Mukono District Woman Representative)

8.    Hon. Joseph Gonzaga Ssewungu (NUP, Kalungu County West)

9.    Hon. Ismail Kasule (ANT, Hoima West Division, Hoima)

Independent Members

1.    Hon.  Esther Acom (Independent, Serere District Woman Representative)

2.    Hon. Angella Akoth Nzokire (Independent, Tororo District Woman Representative)

3.    Hon. Herbert Kinobere (Independent, Kibuku County)

4.    Hon. Emmanuel Ongiertho Jor (Independent, Nebbi Municipality)