KAMPALA, Uganda – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has nominated 13 officials for senior government positions in a major public service reshuffle that could see several long serving Permanent Secretaries replaced across key ministries and government institutions.
The nominations, announced Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, affect institutions responsible for public administration, agriculture, foreign affairs, defence, infrastructure, technology and parliamentary operations.
In a statement published through his official X account, Museveni said the nominations were made under Article 174(2) of Uganda’s 1995 Constitution. He directed the Public Service Commission to assess the suitability of the proposed officials and advise him before the appointments are finalized.
The proposed changes bring together experienced civil servants, senior administrators and professionals from different fields, reflecting a significant shift in the leadership of Uganda’s public service.
While the president did not provide detailed reasons for each proposed replacement, the changes come at a time when government institutions face continued demands to strengthen accountability, improve coordination and deliver public services more efficiently.
Major Changes Across Government Ministries
Among the most notable nominations is Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga, who has been proposed for the position of Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, replacing Alex Kakooza.
Mugunga brings experience in public administration, having served in several government ministries, including Public Service, Water and Environment, and Science, Technology and Innovation.
His proposed appointment places him at the center of an institution responsible for coordinating government policies, monitoring the implementation of national programmes and supporting the work of ministries and other public agencies.
At the Inspectorate of Government, Maureen Kasande has been nominated to replace Rose N. Kafeero. Kasande has been serving as Under Secretary in the Judiciary, where she has been involved in administrative and institutional management.
The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance is also set for a leadership change, with Prof. Stephen Akandwanaho nominated to replace Dr. Aminah Zawedde.
Akandwanaho, an academic specializing in artificial intelligence and computer science, has been associated with Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology.
His nomination comes as Uganda continues to pursue digital transformation, expand electronic government services and strengthen the use of technology in public administration.
In the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Barbara Namugambe has been nominated to replace retired Maj. Gen. David Kasura Kyomukama. Namugambe previously served as Under Secretary at the Ministry of Works and Transport.
Kenneth Akiri, previously an Under Secretary at the Ministry of Health, has been nominated to lead the Ministry of Water and Environment, replacing Dr. Alfred Okot Okidi.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also among the institutions affected, with Charles Ssentongo nominated for the position of Permanent Secretary.
Meanwhile, Mark Sseremba, who previously served as Commissioner for Human Resource Management at the Ministry of Agriculture, has been nominated to lead the Ministry of Public Service.
At the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Edith Butuuro has been nominated to replace Rosette Byengoma. Butuuro has been serving as Under Secretary for Finance and Administration within the same ministry.
Her nomination would represent an internal leadership transition in one of the country’s key security institutions.
Parliament and Other Government Institutions Affected
The proposed reshuffle extends beyond government ministries to institutions responsible for public accountability, recruitment, administration and legislative operations.
Dr. Edward Sengonzi Damulira has been nominated for the position of Clerk to Parliament, replacing Adolf Mwesigye.
Damulira has served as an Under Secretary and accounting officer at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
The Clerk to Parliament is responsible for the administration of Parliament, supporting parliamentary business, supervising staff and overseeing institutional resources.
At the Public Service Commission, Betty Mutesa Cwinya-ai has been nominated to replace John Geoffrey Mbabazi.
The commission plays a central role in Uganda’s public service by advising on appointments and exercising constitutional responsibilities relating to the management of public officers.
Other proposed appointments include Sheeba Kyobutungi Rujoki at the Office of the President’s Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat, Eng. Flavia Guto Bwire at the Ministry of Works and Transport, and Aggrey Wunyi at the Ministry of East African Community Affairs.
The changes cover institutions whose administrative leadership influences the implementation of government programmes, management of public resources and delivery of essential services.
Full List of Museveni’s 13 Nominees
According to the president’s announcement, the following officials have been nominated for senior government positions:
| No. | Nominee | Proposed office |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga | Office of the Prime Minister |
| 2 | Maureen Kasande | Inspectorate of Government |
| 3 | Sheeba Kyobutungi Rujoki | Office of the President, Science, Technology and Innovation |
| 4 | Kenneth Akiri | Ministry of Water and Environment |
| 5 | Barbara Namugambe | Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries |
| 6 | Charles Ssentongo | Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| 7 | Prof. Stephen Akandwanaho | Ministry of ICT and National Guidance |
| 8 | Mark Sseremba | Ministry of Public Service |
| 9 | Eng. Flavia Guto Bwire | Ministry of Works and Transport |
| 10 | Edith Butuuro | Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs |
| 11 | Aggrey Wunyi | Ministry of East African Community Affairs |
| 12 | Betty Mutesa Cwinya-ai | Public Service Commission |
| 13 | Dr. Edward Sengonzi Damulira | Clerk to Parliament |
Reshuffle Places Focus on Public Service Performance
The nominations come against the broader challenge of improving government performance and ensuring that public institutions respond effectively to the needs of citizens.
Permanent Secretaries are among the most influential officials in Uganda’s public administration system.
While ministers provide political leadership and policy direction, Permanent Secretaries oversee the daily management of ministries, coordinate the implementation of government programmes, supervise public officers and manage institutional resources.
They also carry significant responsibilities in public financial management, procurement oversight and accountability for government expenditure.
Changes in these positions can therefore influence how ministries operate, how public resources are managed and how quickly government priorities are implemented.
At the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, for example, administrative leadership is central to coordinating digital government initiatives, improving access to public information and supporting the adoption of technology across government institutions.
In agriculture, effective coordination remains essential to improving productivity, strengthening food security and supporting farmers who depend on government programmes and extension services.
The Ministry of Water and Environment faces equally significant responsibilities, particularly in expanding access to safe water, protecting natural resources and addressing environmental challenges.
For the Ministry of Works and Transport, administrative efficiency is critical to infrastructure development, project supervision and the management of public investments.
Although the nominations signal changes in institutional leadership, their impact will depend on the performance of the officials eventually appointed and the effectiveness of the systems they will oversee.
Balancing Experience With Institutional Continuity
The proposed appointments also raise questions about continuity in government administration, particularly in ministries where experienced Permanent Secretaries are expected to hand over responsibilities to new leaders.
Several nominees have previously served as Under Secretaries or held other senior positions within the public service, giving them experience in government procedures, financial management and institutional coordination.
Such experience could support continuity during leadership transitions.
However, changes at the top of government institutions also require careful management to ensure that ongoing projects, policy commitments and public service programmes are not disrupted.
The president’s announcement did not indicate whether outgoing officials would be reassigned to other government positions or provide details about the circumstances surrounding their proposed replacement.
It also did not announce specific policy changes that the nominees would be expected to introduce.
For the affected institutions, the immediate priority will be maintaining administrative stability while the constitutional appointment process takes its course.
Public Service Commission to Assess Nominees
The next stage of the process rests with the Public Service Commission, which has been directed to assess the suitability of the proposed officials and advise the president.
Article 174(2) of Uganda’s Constitution provides for the appointment of Permanent Secretaries by the president acting on the advice of the Public Service Commission.
The commission’s assessment is therefore a necessary step before the relevant appointments can be finalized.
The president did not specify when the assessments would be completed or when the nominees would formally assume their proposed responsibilities.
Until the required procedures are concluded, the 13 individuals remain nominees rather than confirmed appointees.
The proposed reshuffle represents a significant potential change in Uganda’s administrative leadership, affecting institutions that oversee major government programmes and public resources.
Its success, however, will ultimately be judged beyond the appointments themselves.
For Ugandans, the more immediate measure will be whether the changes contribute to stronger accountability, effective implementation of government policies and tangible improvements in the delivery of public services.
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