Former State Minister for Foreign Affairs Henry Okello Oryem has opened up about his disappointment after being left out of President Yoweri Museveni’s latest Cabinet, admitting that losing his ministerial job was painful despite his continued respect for the President.
Speaking in an interview with NTV Uganda, Oryem explained that his disappointment was about losing his position in government rather than being angry with Museveni. He said he understood that Cabinet appointments were the President’s responsibility, even though he had hoped to continue serving.
“I was not disappointed with President Museveni. Sincerely, from the bottom of my heart, I was not disappointed. I was disappointed for having lost my ministerial job,” Oryem said, explaining that such feelings were natural after losing a position he had held for years.
The former minister revealed that he had repeatedly asked Museveni to keep him in government, particularly whenever the President visited his constituency or appeared there during election campaigns. Oryem said he had made his desire to continue serving clear on several occasions.
“Let me tell you a secret. Do you know how many times I have told President Museveni, year after year after year, to keep me in government?” he said during the interview, offering a glimpse into his efforts to remain part of the administration.
Oryem added that he was even willing to continue as State Minister for Foreign Affairs rather than insist on being appointed to a full Cabinet minister position. He said he did not consider the difference between the two roles a major issue for him.
He also argued that the positions offered broadly similar benefits, including official vehicles and salaries, suggesting that remaining in government mattered more to him than the title attached to the office. His remarks reflected his willingness to continue serving in the same capacity.
Oryem was among the ministers dropped from the Cabinet list announced by Museveni in May 2026. His departure followed more than two decades of service in the foreign affairs docket, making the change a significant moment in his long career in government.
Despite his disappointment, Oryem maintained that he did not blame Museveni for leaving him out of the new Cabinet. His comments underline the personal impact of political appointments and the uncertainty public officials face when a President reshuffles the government.
