President Yoweri Museveni has announced a major shake-up in Uganda’s public service, with several long-serving Permanent Secretaries reportedly being replaced as new officials are nominated to take up senior government positions. The changes have affected several ministries and government institutions, bringing new faces into influential administrative offices.
At the Office of the Prime Minister, Alex Kakooza has reportedly been replaced by Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga, who previously served as an Under Secretary in the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. Mugunga has also worked in several government departments, including Local Government, Finance, Internal Affairs and Public Service.
At the Inspectorate of Government, Rose N. Kafeero has reportedly been replaced by Rosemary Kasande. Sheebah Kyobutungi Rujoki has also been named Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President, with responsibilities in Science, Technology and Innovation. Meanwhile, Alfred Okot Akidi has reportedly been replaced by Kenneth Akiri at the Ministry of Water and Environment.
The reshuffle has also affected the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, where long-serving Major General (Rtd) David Kasura Kyomukama has reportedly been replaced by Barbara Namugambe. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vincent Bagiire Waiswa has reportedly been replaced by Charles Ssentongo, while Professor Stephen Akandwanaho has been named Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, replacing Dr Aminah Zawedde.
At the Ministry of Public Service, Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire has reportedly been replaced by Mark Seremba. Flavia Guto Bwire has been named Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Works and Transport, taking over from Waiswa Bageya. Aggrey Wunyi has also been named to head the Ministry of East African Community Affairs, replacing Edith Mwanje.
Other reported changes include the appointment of Betty Mutesa Cwinya-ai to the Public Service Commission and Edith Buturo to the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, replacing Rosette Byengoma. The report also names Dr Edward Ssengozi Ddamulira as the replacement for Adolf Mwesigye as Clerk to Parliament, although that office is separate from the Permanent Secretary positions.
The reported changes involve several experienced officials who have served in government for years, with the incoming officers expected to take on major responsibilities in managing ministries, implementing government programmes and supervising public service operations. The reshuffle is therefore likely to attract attention across the public service as the new appointees prepare to assume their respective duties.
However, the list of changes should be treated as a reported account rather than a fully confirmed list of 13 Permanent Secretaries fired. The government previously indicated that the wider reorganisation includes new appointments, retirements and the retention of some serving officials, with further details and official assignments to be communicated. Museveni also directed the Public Service Commission to assess the suitability of the nominees before their appointments are formalised.
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