FULL LIST: Museveni renews contracts of Rugunda, Namyalo, and 38 others as Senior Presidential Advisors

Kampala, Uganda: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has renewed contracts and made reappointments of several senior advisors and presidential assistants, signaling his continued trust in long-serving cadres of the ruling NRM party.

The appointments, made under Article 172 (1)(a) of the Constitution, cover various strategic roles in governance, mobilization, diplomacy, youth engagement, and national development.

Among the high-profile reappointments is that of Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, the affable former Prime Minister, who returns as Special Envoy for Special Duties under the Office of the President.

Also retained is Abbey Walusimbi, the influential Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs and Ambassador-at-Large (Grade 1). Walusimbi is credited for his efforts in streamlining the external labour sector, repatriating over 200 distressed Ugandan migrant workers, and establishing global partnerships aimed at youth employment and diaspora investment.

Another key figure reappointed is Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, the fiery Head of the NRM National Chairman’s Office and Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs. Known for rallying Uganda’s youth under the “Bazzukulu ba Museveni” movement and expanding NRM’s influence in opposition strongholds, Namyalo has revitalized the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) into a formidable engine for socio-economic mobilization.

Phionah Barungi has also been promoted from Senior Presidential Assistant to Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Duties, in recognition of her role in combating land grabbing across the country.

Former Makerere History Professor and NRM Electoral Commission Chairman Fred Tanga Odoi has also been retained to guide the party through its upcoming internal elections.

Other notable reappointments include; Ephraim Kamuntu, former Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, as Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs, Dr. Sheikh Mohamed Ahmed Kisuule, as Senior Presidential Advisor on Middle East Affairs, Gen. Ali Kiiza, former Air Force Chief and chief pilot to six Heads of State, as Senior Presidential Advisor on Air Force, while Mafabi David Kenneth, one of the longest-serving presidential advisors, is also retained for his work on political affairs and African unity

Hajji Abdul Nadduli, the vocal former Minister without Portfolio, is also back as Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Mobilization, while Tony Owana, revered for his vast knowledge of Uganda’s political history, remains Presidential Advisor on NRA Archives.

Full List of Presidential Advisors with Renewed Contracts

1. Beth Maumbe Kakai Mukwana – Senior Presidential Advisor (Bugisu Region)
2. Dr Betty Namukwaya – Senior Presidential Advisor (Agriculture)
3. Franco Ojur – Senior Presidential Advisor (Lango Region)
4. Rachael Musoke – Senior Presidential Advisor (Wetland Restoration)
5. Mary Kawuma – Senior Presidential Advisor (Political Affairs)
6. Mr Ephraim Kamuntu – Senior Presidential Advisor (Political Affairs)
7. Uzeiye Hadijah Namyalo – Senior Presidential Advisor (Political Affairs/National Coordinator Bazzukulu)
8. David Mafabi Kenneth – Senior Presidential Advisor (Political Affairs)
9. Richard Muhinda – Senior Presidential Advisor (Public Service Matters)
10. Jane Nakato Ssenoga – Senior Presidential Assistant
11. Dr Dan Ssekibobo – Senior Presidential Advisor (Research, RDC’s Secretariat)
12. Robert Ssebunya – Senior Presidential Advisor (Buganda Matters)
13. Lt. Col Anthony Kykabale – Senior Presidential Advisor (Reconciliation)
14. Janet Mukwaya Balunzi – Senior Presidential Advisor
15. Dr Ahmed Kisule – Senior Presidential Advisor (Middle Eastern Affairs)
16. Alex Kateega Kyaye – Senior Presidential Assistant (Political Affairs)
17. John Arimpa Kiyagai – Senior Presidential Advisor (Environment)
18. Tom Kayongo – Presidential Assistant (Buganda Matters)
19. Jesse Kagimba – Senior Presidential Advisor (HIV/AIDS)
20. Dr Ruhakana Rugunda – Special Envoy for Special Duties (Office of the President)
21. Francis Okello – Senior Presidential Advisor (Lango Zone)
22. Tonny Owana – Presidential Advisor (NRA Archives)
23. Phiona Barungi – Senior Presidential Advisor
24. Samuel Byagagaire – Senior Presidential Advisor (Veterinary Services)
25. Ignatius Byaruhanga – Assistant Senior Presidential Advisor (Wetland Restoration)
26. Brig. (Rtd) Jacob Asiimwe – Senior Presidential Assistant (Political Affairs)
27. Lt. Col. (Rtd) Ambako Kibrai – Senior Presidential Advisor (Mobilization, RDC Secretariat)
28. Gertrude Njuba – Senior Presidential Advisor (Political Affairs)
29. Nambuya Eunice – Special Presidential Assistant
30. Al Haji Abdul Nadduli – Senior Presidential Advisor
31. Ms Nakayenga Resty Kiguli – Senior Presidential Advisor (Underprivileged Youth)
32. Ms Nalima Betty – Special Presidential Assistant (Political Affairs)
33. Margaret Nakidde Kulabako – Deputy Special Presidential Assistant (Research)
34. Stephen Hippo Tweheyo – Presidential Advisor (NRA Archives)
35. Abbey Walusimbi – Senior Presidential Advisor (Diaspora)
36. Patrick Zikanshagyiza – Senior Presidential Advisor (NRA Archives)
37. Gen Ali Kiiza – Senior Presidential Advisor (Air Force)
38. Patrick Lutamaguzi – Private Secretary (NRA Archives)
39. Dr Beatrice Wabudeya – Senior Presidential Advisor (Veterinary Services)
40. Monica Azuba Ntege – Senior Presidential Advisor
41. Florence Mutyabule – Senior Presidential Advisor (Poverty Alleviation – Busoga Region)

In total, President Museveni retained, promoted, or reappointed more than 40 individuals to continue serving as advisors in line with NRM’s four core principles: Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, Socio-Economic Transformation, and Democracy.

The appointments, confirmed by Museveni’s Private Press Secretary, Ms Gloria Omaswa Asio, reflect the President’s continued reliance on seasoned political actors, veterans, and regional mobilizers to consolidate gains as Uganda heads toward the 2026 elections.