President Yoweri Museveni has announced changes affecting 51 senior public officers, appointing 13 new officials, retaining 16 in their current positions, redeploying 11 and retiring another 11 Permanent Secretaries.
The changes, announced on November 9, 2026, affect several government ministries, departments, commissions and constitutional offices, including Finance, Health, Defence, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture and Public Service.
The President exercised his powers under Articles 99, 172(1)(a) and 174(2) of the 1995 Constitution to make the changes.
Among the new appointments, Prof. Stephen Akandwanaho has been named to head the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, replacing Dr Aminah Zawedde, who moves to the Office of the Prime Minister.
Eng. Flavia Guto Bwire takes over the Ministry of Works and Transport from Bageya Waiswa, while Barbara Namugambe moves from the Ministry of Works and Transport to head the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
Other appointments include Charles Ssentongo at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kenneth Akiri at the Ministry of Water and Environment, and Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga at the Office of the Prime Minister.
Mark Sseremba has been named Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Public Service, while Aggrey Wunyi takes over the Ministry of East African Community Affairs.
Maureen Kasande moves to the Inspectorate of Government, Edith Butuuro to the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, and Sheeba Kyobutungi Rujoki to the Office of the President, where she will oversee Science, Technology and Innovation.
Betty Mutesa Cwinya-ai has been named to the Public Service Commission, while Dr Edward Sengonzi Damulira takes over as Clerk to Parliament.
The 13 new appointments comprise 12 Permanent Secretary positions and the Clerk to Parliament post.
In a letter dated November 5, Museveni directed the Public Service Commission to assess the suitability of the 13 nominees and advise him accordingly.
Ggoobi, Atwiine among 16 retained
The reshuffle leaves several senior officials in their current positions, including Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye and her deputy, Dr Mary T. Wenene.
Dr Ramathan Ggoobi retains his position as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, while Dr Diana Atwiine remains at the Ministry of Health.
Others retained include Eng. Irene P. Bateebe at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Dr Kedrace T. Rwankore Turyagyenda at the Ministry of Education and Sports, and Lt Gen Joseph Musanyufu at the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
State House Comptroller Jane Barekye, Principal Private Secretary to the President Gloria Asio Omaswa and Yunus Kakande at the Office of the President also retain their positions.
Robert Kasande remains at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, while Jane Mwesiga Kyarisiima continues as Deputy Head of Public Service in charge of Performance and Service Delivery at the Office of the Prime Minister.
Other officials retained are Solicitor General Pius Perry Biribonwoha, Dr Asuman Lukwago of the Education Service Commission, Ketty Lamaro of the Health Service Commission and Kainza Agnes Nzogi of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Zawedde, Katusiime redeployed
Eleven senior officials have been reassigned to different government institutions without leaving public service.
Dr Aminah Zawedde moves to the Office of the Prime Minister in charge of Coordination, while Bagiire Vincent Waiswa has been transferred to the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities.
Alex Kakooza moves to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Catherine Birakwate Musingwiire to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, and Dunstan Balaba to the Ministry of Local Government.
Other redeployments include Doreen Silver Katusiime to the Judiciary, Benjamin Kumumanya to the Judicial Service Commission and Lynette B. Bagonza to Ethics and Integrity.
Nkeramihigo Julius Victor moves to the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, while Aggrey David Kibenge becomes Principal Private Secretary to the Vice President.
Rosette Byengoma has been assigned the role of Senior Presidential Advisor on Defence Procurement.
Bigirimana, Kasura-Kyomukama among 11 retired
The changes also end the public service careers of 11 senior officials, including several who have headed major government institutions.
Those retired are Adolf Mwesige Kasaija, the outgoing Clerk to Parliament; Maj Gen David Kasura-Kyomukama, formerly at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries; and Dr Rose Nassali Lukwago, who headed the Inspectorate of Government.
The others are 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 former Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Judiciary.
The retirements were made under Articles 99 and 172(1)(a) of the Constitution.
The changes come after a delay in the review of some Permanent Secretaries’ contracts. In October, Deputy Head of Public Service Jane Mwesiga Kyarisiima told New Vision that some contracts had expired on July 28, 2026, but the Public Service Commission was not in place to assess the affected officials.
She said the officials had stepped aside pending performance assessments and recommendations to the President, although acting officers had been assigned to ensure continuity in government ministries.
A new nine-member Public Service Commission, chaired by Vincent Seruma, was subsequently sworn in on October 16, 2026, replacing the previous team whose term had expired in July.
Permanent Secretaries in Uganda serve on three-year renewable contracts managed by the Ministry of Public Service.
The latest changes affect the administration of key government institutions, with the Public Service Commission now expected to assess the suitability of the newly named candidates.
