Museveni Appoints 13 New Permanent Secretaries, Retains 16 and Retires 11 in Major Public Service Reshuffle

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has announced a major reshuffle of Uganda’s public service leadership, appointing 13 new Permanent Secretaries, retaining 16 officials in their current positions, redeploying 11 others and retiring 11 Permanent Secretaries.

The changes, announced on Monday, November 9, 2026, affect several key government ministries, commissions and institutions, including the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Works and Transport, and Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.

In a statement issued under his authority as President of the Republic of Uganda, Museveni said the decisions were made in exercise of the constitutional powers vested in him under the 1995 Constitution.

The President cited Article 174(2) of the Constitution as the basis for the appointment, retention and redeployment of Permanent Secretaries and other senior public officers. 

16 Officials Retained in Current Positions

Under the first category, Museveni retained 16 senior officials in their existing positions, maintaining continuity in several strategic government institutions.

Among those retained is Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye, who continues as Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, alongside Dr. Mary T. Wenene, who remains Deputy Head of Public Service and Deputy Secretary to Cabinet.

Other senior officials retained include Jane Mwesiga Kyarisiima, Deputy Head of Public Service responsible for Performance and Service Delivery in the Office of the Prime Minister; Jane Barekye, State House Comptroller; and Gloria Asio Omaswa, Principal Private Secretary to the President.

Yunus Kakande was also retained in the Office of the President, while Eng. Irene P. Bateebe continues as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development.

The Ministry of Health retains Dr. Diana Atwiine, while Lt. Gen. Joseph Musanyufu remains at the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Other officials retained include Robert Kasande at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs; Dr. Kedrace T. Rwankore Turyagyenda at the Ministry of Education and Sports; and Dr. Ramathan Ggoobi at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

The list further includes Pius Perry Biribonwoha as Solicitor General, Dr. Asuman Lukwago at the Education Service Commission, Ketty Lamaro at the Health Service Commission, and Kainza Agnes Nzogi at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

11 Officials Retained and Redeployed

In another category, the President retained 11 officials in public service but redeployed them to different government offices and institutions.

The redeployments affect several sectors, including the Judiciary, tourism, gender, local government, ethics and integrity, lands, trade, and coordination within the Office of the Prime Minister. 

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, while Benjamin Kumumanya moves 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 has been redeployed to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, while Dr. Aminah Zawedde moves to the Office of the Prime Minister, where she will handle Coordination.

Aggrey David Kibenge has been appointed Principal Private Secretary to the Vice President, while Rosette Byengoma takes up the position of Senior Presidential Advisor on Defence Procurement. 

13 New Appointments Announced

The reshuffle also introduces 13 new officials to senior positions across government, bringing fresh leadership into several ministries and public institutions.

Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga has been appointed to the Office of the Prime Minister, while Prof. Stephen Akandwanaho takes over at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance.

Aggrey Wunyi has been appointed to the Ministry of East African Community Affairs, while Mark Sseremba will serve at the Ministry of Public Service.

Other appointments include Kenneth Akiri at the Ministry of Water and Environment and Barbara Namugambe at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.

Charles Ssentongo has been appointed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while Maureen Kasande takes up the position at the Inspectorate of Government.

The Ministry of Works and Transport will have Eng. Flavia Guto Bwire as its new Permanent Secretary, while Edith Butuuro has been appointed to the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.

Sheeba Kyobutungi Rujoki has been appointed to the Office of the President, where she will handle Science, Technology and Innovation.

The President also appointed Betty Mutesa Cwinya-ai to the Public Service Commission, while Edward Sengonzi Damulira takes up the position of Clerk to Parliament. 

11 Permanent Secretaries Retired

In a significant part of the changes, Museveni announced the retirement of 11 Permanent Secretaries, bringing their service in the respective positions to an end.

Those retired are Hon. 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 President cited Articles 99 and 172(1)(a) of the Constitution as the legal basis for the retirement decisions.

Constitutional Powers and Public Service Leadership

The latest changes represent a significant reorganisation of Uganda's senior public service leadership, with a combination of continuity, redeployment, new appointments and retirement.

By retaining experienced officials in key positions while introducing new leadership in other ministries, the changes affect the administrative structures responsible for implementing government policies, coordinating public programmes and overseeing service delivery.

Permanent Secretaries play a central role in the day-to-day administration of ministries, including financial management, policy implementation, supervision of public servants and accountability for government resources.

The appointments and redeployments are therefore expected to shape the administrative leadership of government institutions and their execution of national development priorities.

In announcing the decisions, Museveni reaffirmed that the appointments, redeployments and retirements had been made in accordance with the constitutional powers vested in the President of the Republic of Uganda.

The statement was signed by Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, on November 9, 2026.