President Museveni Appoints Kiboga Woman MP Hon Desire Muhooza State Minister for Agriculture

By Peter Luzinda 

 

KAMPALA — Kiboga District Woman Member of Parliament, Desire Muhooza, has been appointed State Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries in President Yoweri Museveni’s newly unveiled 2026–2031 Cabinet.

 

Her appointment places one of the country’s emerging female legislators at the centre of Uganda’s critical agriculture sector, which remains the backbone of the economy and the largest source of livelihood for millions of Ugandans.

 

Muhooza, who represents Kiboga District in Parliament, has in recent years built a growing profile within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), particularly through mobilisation activities and advocacy on rural development issues affecting women and farming communities.

 

Political observers say her elevation to Cabinet reflects the continued push by the ruling party to bring younger and grassroots-oriented leaders into key government positions ahead of the new term.

 

The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries plays a central role in Uganda’s economic transformation agenda, overseeing agricultural production, livestock development, fisheries management, food security and export promotion. The sector contributes significantly to Uganda’s GDP and employs the majority of the population, especially in rural districts.

 

In Kiboga and neighbouring districts, agriculture remains the main economic activity, with farmers engaged in coffee growing, livestock keeping, maize farming and other commercial agricultural enterprises. Residents from the area expressed optimism that Muhooza’s appointment could help amplify the concerns of rural farmers at the national level.

 

Supporters described the appointment as a milestone for Kiboga District and for women leadership in Uganda, noting that her rise from district politics to Cabinet demonstrates increasing opportunities for female politicians within national leadership structures.

 

Her supporters also praised President Museveni for entrusting her with a ministry considered strategic to Uganda’s long-term economic plans, especially at a time when government is prioritising agro-industrialisation, value addition and commercial farming.

 

Muhooza is expected to work alongside senior officials in the agriculture ministry to implement government programmes aimed at improving productivity, tackling crop and animal diseases, expanding irrigation and strengthening agricultural markets.

 

The newly appointed ministers are expected to undergo vetting by Parliament before formally assuming office.