Mega Fm: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has announced changes in the leadership of Permanent Secretaries across Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
The changes involve the appointment of new Permanent Secretaries, the retention of some officers in their current positions, the redeployment of others, as well as the retirement of several Permanent Secretaries.
Under the changes, the President has:
1. Retained 16 Permanent Secretaries in their current positions.
2. Retained and redeployed 11 Permanent Secretaries to other Government offices.
3. Appointed 13 new Permanent Secretaries to various Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
4. Retired 11 Permanent Secretaries from public service.
The changes have been made in exercise of the constitutional powers vested in the President under Articles 99, 172(1)(a) and 174(2) of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda.
The respective assignments and details of the changes are contained in the official appointment and retirement instruments. It includes a proposed change of leadership at Parliament, where Edward Sengonzi Damulira has been nominated to replace incumbent Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige.
Damulira, the Under Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, is expected to take over after Mwesige’s five years at the helm of Parliament’s administration, a period that has been overshadowed by investigations into the institution’s leadership, allegations of financial misconduct, arrests of senior officials and, more recently, a validation exercise targeting Parliament staff.
The proposed leadership change comes against the backdrop of a turbulent transition from the 11th to the 12th Parliament, following investigations involving former Speaker Anita Annet Among and allegations of administrative and financial irregularities during her tenure.
The report established that 182 employees had been recruited without advertisement between October 2021 and June 2026, with some reportedly lacking the minimum academic qualifications for their positions. It also identified irregularities in staff placements, promotions and the approved staffing structure.
The appointments, announced on Sunday, November 8, 2026, also affect several government ministries and institutions, with a combination of new faces and internal promotions.
At the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Professor Stephen Akandwanaho has been nominated to replace Dr Aminah Zawedde, who has headed the ministry since July 2021.
Akandwanaho is a computer scientist and academic with expertise in information technology and artificial intelligence, while Zawedde is a computer scientist who holds a doctorate from Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands and has been associated with digital transformation and e-governance initiatives.
At the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Edith Butuuro is lined up to replace Rosette Byengoma. Butuuro has been serving as Under Secretary in charge of Finance and Administration at the ministry, making her proposed elevation an internal promotion.
Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga has been nominated to replace Alex Kakooza at the Office of the Prime Minister, while Kenneth Akiri is set to replace Alfred Okot Okidi at the Ministry of Water and Environment.
At the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Barbara Namugambe has been nominated to replace Pius Wakabi. Namugambe previously served as Under Secretary for Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Works and Transport.
Charles Ssentongo has been nominated to replace Ambassador Patrick Mugoya at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ssentongo is a career diplomat who joined the ministry in 1990 and has served in Uganda’s diplomatic missions in London, Dar es Salaam and Washington.
At the Ministry of Public Service, Mark Sseremba is expected to replace Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire. Sseremba previously served as Director of Human Resources at the National Agricultural Research Organisation and Commissioner of Human Resources at the Ministry of Agriculture.
The National Building Review Board Executive Secretary, Eng. Flavia Guto Bwire, has been nominated to replace Waiswa Bageya at the Ministry of Works and Transport, while Aggrey Wunyi is lined up to take over from Edith N. Mwanje at the Ministry of East African Community Affairs.
Betty Mutesa Cwinya-ai has also been nominated to replace Dr John Geoffrey Mbabazi at the Public Service Commission.
The President has proposed Maureen Kasande for the Inspectorate of Government, replacing outgoing accounting officer Rose N. Kafeero, while Sheeba Kyobutungi Rujoki has been nominated to oversee Science, Technology and Innovation in the Office of the President.
In his announcement, Museveni said he was exercising powers vested in him under Article 174(2) of the 1995 Constitution.
He directed the Public Service Commission to assess the suitability of the 13 nominees and advise him accordingly before the appointments are finalised.