KAMPALA
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has sworn in three ministers at State House, Entebbe, urging them to eliminate corruption and inefficiency in government through proper supervision, accountability and effective service delivery.
The ministers sworn in on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, are Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Shartsi Kutesa Musherure, Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development in charge of Microfinance; and Juma Witonze Kisekka, Minister of State for Internal Affairs.
The ceremony followed the delayed assumption of office by Ayebare and Musherure, whose earlier swearing-in had been held back over questions surrounding their citizenship status.
Witonze, meanwhile, is a new Cabinet appointee, having been nominated by President Museveni last month to replace Dr Lawrence Muganga, whose appointment as Minister of State for Internal Affairs was not approved by Parliament’s Appointments Committee.
Adonia Ayebare
Citizenship Concerns Delayed Oath
Ayebare and Musherure were among ministers appointed by President Museveni in May as part of the new Cabinet for the 2026–2031 term.
However, they did not take the oath during the main Cabinet swearing-in ceremony at State House, Entebbe, on June 8 after questions emerged regarding their foreign citizenship.
The two, together with Muganga and Calvin Echodu, had been flagged over citizenship-related queries during the vetting process. The Ministry of Internal Affairs had provided information concerning the citizenship status of some of the nominees.
At the June ceremony, Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet Lucy Nakyobe told President Museveni that she and Solicitor General Pius Biribonwoha had engaged the affected nominees and prepared a report for further guidance.
The four nominees therefore did not join their colleagues in taking the oath at the time.
Ayebare and Musherure subsequently addressed the citizenship concerns and were cleared to proceed with the swearing-in.
The two had reportedly taken steps to renounce their foreign citizenship, clearing the major hurdle that had delayed their assumption of office.
Their swearing-in therefore completes the process of their entry into the new Cabinet.
Juma Witonze Kisekka, Minister of State for Internal Affairs
Museveni Warns Ministers on Corruption
During the ceremony, Museveni congratulated the three ministers and challenged them to concentrate on improving the performance of government.
He urged them to eliminate corruption and inefficiency through proper supervision and accountability.
The President emphasised that ministers must ensure that government programmes are properly implemented and that public resources are used for the benefit of Ugandans.
The new ministers will therefore be expected to exercise close supervision over their respective sectors and ensure that government policies translate into tangible services for citizens.
Museveni Speaks on Dual Citizenship
Museveni also used the occasion to address the wider question of dual citizenship, which had featured prominently during the vetting of some of his ministerial nominees.
He said the arrangement allowing dual citizenship was introduced partly in response to Uganda’s difficult history and the circumstances that forced many Ugandans to leave the country.
However, he stressed that people holding more than one citizenship must be clear about where their loyalty lies.
Museveni said the long-term solution to questions surrounding identity and integration in the region remains the East African Federation.
The President’s comments come after citizenship questions delayed the swearing-in of several ministerial nominees during the formation of the new Cabinet.
Uganda’s citizenship laws restrict dual citizens from holding a number of specified senior government positions, including ministerial offices, under the Fifth Schedule to the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Act.
Witonze Replaces Muganga
Unlike Ayebare and Musherure, Witonze’s appearance at Tuesday’s ceremony follows a change in the person appointed to head the Internal Affairs state ministerial docket.
President Museveni initially appointed Dr Lawrence Muganga, the Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University, as Minister of State for Internal Affairs.
However, Muganga’s appointment ran into difficulties during parliamentary vetting after the Appointments Committee raised concerns over his citizenship.
The committee reportedly found that Muganga had citizenship links to Uganda, Canada and Rwanda and required clarification regarding his status. Muganga disputed the claim that he was a Rwandan citizen and maintained that he was a Ugandan citizen of Banyarwanda background.
He also indicated that he had begun the process of renouncing his Canadian citizenship.
Despite his explanations, the committee did not approve his appointment.
The matter subsequently left the Internal Affairs ministerial position vacant, prompting President Museveni to nominate Witonze as Muganga’s replacement.
On July 27, Museveni forwarded Witonze’s name to Parliament for vetting and approval. At the time, Witonze was serving as the Patriotic League of Uganda coordinator for Greater Mpigi and as NRM vice-chairperson for Gomba District.
Witonze also has a background in diplomacy and international relations and had previously sought election to the East African Legislative Assembly. He later became Muganga’s successful replacement in the Internal Affairs docket.
Witonze Pledges Equal Service
After taking the oath, Witonze expressed gratitude to President Museveni for entrusting him with the responsibility.
He pledged to serve all Ugandans faithfully, fairly and equally, with humility, integrity and dedication.
Witonze also prayed for wisdom and strength to enable him to execute his responsibilities and serve the country to the best of his ability.
Ayebare Promises Results-Oriented Diplomacy
Ayebare, who moves from his role as Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York to head the Foreign Affairs Ministry, also expressed gratitude to Museveni for entrusting him with the docket.
He pledged to pursue diplomacy that delivers results for Ugandans.
Ayebare’s appointment had attracted attention during the citizenship controversy because he was among the nominees whose citizenship status was questioned before the June swearing-in. He was later cleared and awaited a new date to take the oath.
As Foreign Affairs Minister, Ayebare will be responsible for leading Uganda’s diplomatic engagement with other countries and international organisations at a time when Uganda continues to emphasise regional integration, economic diplomacy and cooperation within the East African Community.
Musherure Takes Microfinance Docket
Musherure, who has also been sworn in, assumes the position of State Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development responsible for Microfinance.
His appointment had similarly been delayed after citizenship questions emerged during the initial vetting process.
He later cleared the concerns and joined Ayebare in being cleared for the delayed swearing-in.
The three ministers now formally assume their respective responsibilities after taking the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office before the President.
Their swearing-in also brings to a close a months-long process that began with the formation of the new Cabinet and was complicated by questions concerning citizenship and eligibility for ministerial office.
