President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has announced sweeping changes among Uganda’s senior civil servants, appointing 13 new officials to Permanent Secretary positions, redeploying 11 others and retiring 11 from public service.
The changes, announced on November 9, also see 16 officials retained in their current positions as part of a reshuffle affecting ministries, government agencies, constitutional commissions and Parliament.
The appointments and redeployments were made under Article 174(2) of the 1995 Constitution, which empowers the President to appoint Permanent Secretaries.
Among the new appointees is Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga, who has been assigned to the Office of the Prime Minister, while Prof. Stephen Akandwanaho takes up the position at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance.
Other appointments include Aggrey Wunyi at the Ministry of East African Community Affairs, Mark Sseremba at the Ministry of Public Service and Kenneth Akiri at the Ministry of Water and Environment.
Barbara Namugambe has been appointed to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, while Charles Ssentongo takes up the position at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The new appointments also include Maureen Kasande at the Inspectorate of Government, Eng. Flavia Guto Bwire at the Ministry of Works and Transport, and Edith Butuuro at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.
Sheeba Kyobutungi Rujoki has been assigned to the Office of the President, responsible for Science, Technology and Innovation, while Betty Mutesa Cwinya-ai joins the Public Service Commission.
Edward Sengonzi Damulira has been appointed Clerk to Parliament.
Several senior officials have also been moved to new positions. Doreen Silver Katusiime has been redeployed to the Judiciary, while Bagiire Vincent Waiswa moves to the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities.
Catherine Birakwate Musingwiire has been assigned to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, and Benjamin Kumumanya to the Judicial Service Commission.
Other redeployments include Dunstan Balaba to the Ministry of Local Government, Lynette B. Bagonza to Ethics and Integrity, and Nkeramihigo Julius Victor to the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development.
Alex Kakooza moves to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, while Dr Aminah Zawedde has been assigned to the Office of the Prime Minister in charge of Coordination.
Aggrey David Kibenge has been redeployed as Principal Private Secretary to the Vice President, while Rosette Byengoma becomes Senior Presidential Advisor on Defence Procurement.
Meanwhile, Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye has retained her position as Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet. Her deputy, Dr Mary T. Wenene, has also been retained, alongside Jane Mwesiga Kyarisiima, who serves as Deputy Head of Public Service responsible for Performance and Service Delivery.
Other officials retained include Dr Ramathan Ggoobi at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Dr Diana Atwiine at the Ministry of Health, Eng. Irene P. Bateebe at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, and Dr Kedrace T. Rwankore Turyagyenda at the Ministry of Education and Sports.
The list also includes Jane Barekye as State House Comptroller, Lt. Gen. Joseph Musanyufu at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Robert Kasande at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and Pius Perry Biribonwoha as Solicitor General.
The reshuffle also marks the retirement of 11 Permanent Secretaries under Articles 99 and 172(1)(a) of the Constitution.
Those retired are Adolf Mwesige Kasaija, Maj. Gen. David Kasura-Kyomukama, Dr Rose Nassali Lukwago, Alex B. Okello, Dorcus W. Okalany, Bageya Waiswa, Edith Nsaja Mwanje, Alfred O. Okidi, Dr John Geoffrey Mbabazi, Rose N. Kafeero and Pius Bigirimana.
The changes affect several strategic government departments, including finance, agriculture, foreign affairs, defence, public service, infrastructure and the Office of the Prime Minister.
