In Summary: President Yoweri Museveni has submitted 12 nominees for Permanent Secretary positions and one nominee for Clerk to Parliament to the Public Service Commission for assessment, in a shake-up affecting key government institutions. Among the outgoing officeholders whose positions are affected are Adolf Mwesigye, Dr Aminah Zawedde and Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire.
Kampala, Uganda — President Yoweri Museveni has appointed 13 new Permanent Secretaries as part of proposed changes to the administrative leadership of several government ministries and institutions, marking a major public service shake-up since his cabinet began work for the 2026-31 term.
The nominations, made under Article 174(2) of the 1995 Constitution, affect key government offices, including the Office of the Prime Minister, the Inspectorate of Government, the ministries of Defence, Works and Transport, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, and ICT and National Guidance.
In a communication dated November 5, 2026, Museveni submitted the names to the Public Service Commission (PSC), directing it to assess the nominees’ suitability for appointment and advise him accordingly.
The appointment affect several established public service leaders, including Adolf Mwesigye, who is set to be replaced as Clerk to Parliament by Dr Edward Sengonzi Damulira; Dr Aminah Zawedde, whose position at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance has been proposed for Prof. Stephen Akandwanaho; and Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire, who is set to be succeeded at the Ministry of Public Service by Mark Sseremba.
At the Office of the Prime Minister, Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga has been nominated to replace Alex Kakooza, while Maureen Kasande has been proposed for the Inspectorate of Government, replacing Rose N. Kafeero.
Sheeba Kyobutungi Rujoki has been nominated to head the Science, Technology and Innovation docket in the Office of the President, taking over from Peter Ourien.
The Ministry of Water and Environment is expected to have a new administrative head if the nomination of Kenneth Akiri is approved. Akiri, previously Under Secretary at the Ministry of Health, has been proposed to replace Dr Alfred Okot Okidi.
Barbara Namugambe, formerly Under Secretary at the Ministry of Works and Transport, has been nominated for the Permanent Secretary position at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, replacing Maj. Gen. David Kasura-Kyomukama.
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Charles Ssentongo has been nominated to replace Vincent Waiswa Bagiire, while Edith Butuuro has been proposed for the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, replacing Rosette Byengoma.
Aggrey Wunyi has been nominated for the Ministry of East African Community Affairs, where he is expected to replace Edith Mwanje.
The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance is among the institutions affected by the changes, with Prof. Stephen Akandwanaho nominated to replace Dr Aminah Zawedde. Akandwanaho previously served as Chief Academic Officer at Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology.
At the Ministry of Works and Transport, Eng. Flavia Guto Bwire has been nominated to replace Waiswa Bageya, while Mark Sseremba is proposed to take over from Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire at the Ministry of Public Service.
Betty Mutesa Cwinya-ai has been nominated as Secretary to the Public Service Commission, a position equivalent in rank to Permanent Secretary. She is expected to replace John Geoffrey Mbabazi.
In Parliament, Dr Edward Sengonzi Damulira, formerly Under Secretary and Accounting Officer at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, has been nominated as Clerk to Parliament, replacing Adolf Mwesigye.
The nominations bring a mix of internal public service administrators, technical officers and academic expertise into the proposed leadership of government institutions.
According to the Presidential Press Unit, the changes are intended to strengthen institutional leadership, improve administrative efficiency and enhance implementation of government programmes and national development priorities.
The nominees will assume their respective offices after the required assessment and clearance process is completed. The announcement does not specify whether the outgoing officeholders will be redeployed, retired or assigned other responsibilities.
Full List of new Permanent Secretaries
- Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga – Office of the Prime Minister.
- Maureen Kasande – Inspectorate of Government.
- Sheeba Kyobutungi Rujoki – Office of the President, Science, Technology and Innovation.
- Kenneth Akiri – Ministry of Water and Environment.
- Barbara Namugambe – Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
- Charles Ssentongo – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Prof. Stephen Akandwanaho – Ministry of ICT and National Guidance.
- Mark Sseremba – Ministry of Public Service.
- Eng. Flavia Guto Bwire – Ministry of Works and Transport.
- Edith Butuuro – Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.
- Aggrey Wunyi – Ministry of East African Community Affairs.
- Betty Mutesa Cwinya-ai – Public Service Commission.
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