Museveni appoints 13 new permanent secretaries, retires 11
ENTEBBE: President Yoweri Museveni has appointed 13 new permanent secretaries, retained 16 in their current positions and redeployed 11 others in a major reshuffle of Uganda’s senior public service leadership.
The changes, announced on Monday, November 9, 2026, also include the retirement of 11 permanent secretaries.
In a statement issued under his authority as President, Museveni said the appointments, retentions, redeployments and retirements were made in exercise of his constitutional powers under the 1995 Constitution.
Among those retained are Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye, Deputy Head of Public Service Dr Mary T. Wenene, State House Comptroller Jane Barekye and Principal Private Secretary to the President Gloria Asio Omaswa.
Others retained include Energy and Mineral Development Permanent Secretary Eng. Irene P. Bateebe, Health Permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwiine, Finance Permanent Secretary Dr Ramathan Ggoobi, Internal Affairs Permanent Secretary Lt. Gen. Joseph Musanyufu and Education and Sports Permanent Secretary Dr Kedrace T. Rwankore Turyagyenda.
The new appointments bring fresh leadership to several government ministries and institutions.
Those appointed include Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga to the Office of the Prime Minister, Prof. Stephen Akandwanaho to the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Aggrey Wunyi to the Ministry of East African Community Affairs and Mark Sseremba to the Ministry of Public Service.
Others are Kenneth Akiri (Water and Environment), Barbara Namugambe (Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries), Charles Ssentongo (Foreign Affairs), Maureen Kasande (Inspectorate of Government) and Eng. Flavia Guto Bwire (Works and Transport).
Edith Butuuro has been appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, while Sheeba Kyobutungi Rujoki will serve in the Office of the President, in charge of Science, Technology and Innovation.
Betty Mutesa Cwinya-ai has been appointed to the Public Service Commission, while Edward Sengonzi Damulira takes over as Clerk to Parliament.
In the redeployment changes, former Permanent Secretary for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Doreen Silver Katusiime has been moved to the Judiciary, while Bagiire Vincent Waiswa has been redeployed to the Ministry of Tourism.
Other redeployments include Catherine Birakwate Musingwiire to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Benjamin Kumumanya to the Judicial Service Commission and Dunstan Balaba to the Ministry of Local Government.
Dr Aminah Zawedde has been redeployed to the Office of the Prime Minister, while Aggrey David Kibenge becomes Principal Private Secretary to the Vice President.
The 11 officials retired include 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 changes affect several key government ministries, constitutional offices and public institutions, marking a significant restructuring of the country’s top administrative leadership.
