 Following the 2000 general elections, he was appointed Minister of Water and Livestock Development and made his mark as a hardworking minister.In 2005 Lowassa chose not to seek the CCM presidential nomination but became a key campaigner for his long-time friend, Jakaya Kikwete, in his bid for the presidential seat.Kikwete, running on a CCM ticket, won the elections by beating other contestants by a large margin.