Museveni has not appointed JB Walusimbi,, the former Buganda Prime Minister, as Vice President
A viral TikTok video claiming that President Museveni appointed Prof. John Baptist Walusimbi as Uganda’s new vice president is false.
Claim.
A TikTok account named Nandaula Judith posted a trending video with a screenshot claiming that President M7 has appointed former Buganda Prime Minister JB Walusimbi as Vice President to appease Baganda and the Catholic Church to reduce public attention on Bobi Wine.
The video has attracted 3178 likes, 375 comments, and 233 shares.
Fact Check.
Using Google Lens, we determined that the photos shared in the claim were taken on October 3, 2009, when President Museveni and Kabaka Mutebi met for the first time at State House Entebbe to discuss the Land Bill. On the left in the photo are the retired Bishop of Mityana Wilson Mutebi and the former Katikiiro Eng. J.B. Walusimbi and Prince David Wasajja. This is according to the Daily Monitor.
With the use of the Inforverifier and Expert Tool, we analysed the claims and the results indicated false information.
In an interview with Obed Katureebe, the acting executive director of the Uganda Media Centre, he dismissed the allegations as unfounded and without merit, calling them a false rumour.
Here is what you should know:
The President of Uganda selects and appoints the Cabinet (ministers) primarily after every General Election, which occurs every five years, or during cabinet reshuffles when the President deems it necessary. According to the Constitution of Uganda (1995), the Cabinet consists of the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, and other ministers appointed by the President, with the approval of Parliament.
A new Cabinet is typically appointed following the presidential swearing-in ceremony after a general election, which will take place in May or June 2026. The claim is unfounded because the swearing-in has not yet occurred, and there has been no news of any reshuffles in which the president changes the cabinet as needed, often dropping or swapping ministers to ensure political balance and efficiency.
Verdict
False: President Museveni has not yet appointed Prof. John Baptist Walusimbi as Uganda’s new vice president, let alone anyone as of the time of this fact-check.
The old government’s term ends after the swearing-in ceremony, and there have been no reports of reshuffles. The image in the claim that’s used as evidence is used out of context, as it dates back and not an image from 2026.
This fact check was produced by Serina Nagujja with support from the Debunk Media Initiative and BBC Media Action.