President Museveni has officially sworn in Uganda’s newly appointed Cabinet ministers and Ministers of State, ushering in a new phase of government administration.
The ceremony, held at State House Entebbe on Tuesday, saw 78 members of the Executive take the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Minister, formally assuming their duties in government.
The swearing-in exercise was overseen by the Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye, and attended by senior government officials, judicial leaders, security chiefs, as well as families and friends of the ministers.
In his brief remarks, President Museveni congratulated the newly appointed ministers and wished them success in executing their responsibilities.
“Here, I just congratulate you and wish you good luck,” the President said.
Among the senior officials sworn in were Vice President Jessica Alupo and Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, who also serves as Leader of Government Business in Parliament.
Other Cabinet ministers who took the oath included Rebecca Kadaga, Crispus Walter Kiyonga and Lukia Nakadama, who serve as First, Second and Third Deputy Prime Ministers respectively.
Also sworn in were Milly Babalanda (Presidency), Jim Muhwezi (Security), Jonard Asiimwe (Science, Technology and Innovation), Minsa Kabanda (Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs), Hillary Onek (General Duties), Jane Ruth Aceng (Government Chief Whip), Sam Engola (Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees), John Baptist Lokii (Karamoja Affairs), Frank Tumwebaze (Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries), Sam Mayanja (Attorney General), Kiryowa Kiwanuka (Defence and Veterans Affairs), Monica Musenero (Energy and Mineral Development) and Henry Musasizi (Finance, Planning and Economic Development).
The list also included Henry Tumukunde Kakurugu (Gender, Labour and Social Development), Chris Baryomunsi (Health), Justine Kasule Lumumba (ICT and National Guidance), Ephraim Kamuntu (Internal Affairs), Norbert Mao (Justice and Constitutional Affairs), Judith Nabakooba (Lands, Housing and Urban Development), Balaam Barugahara (Local Government), Katumba Wamala (Public Service), Tom Butime (Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities), Sanjay Tanna (Trade, Industry and Cooperatives), Kahinda Otafiire (Water and Environment) and Fred Byamukama (Works and Transport).
Dozens of Ministers of State also took the oath of office, completing the composition of the new executive team.
All ministers took two constitutional oaths — the Oath of Allegiance, pledging loyalty to Uganda and commitment to protecting the Constitution, and the Oath of Minister, which requires them to faithfully serve the country, advise the President and maintain confidentiality on matters of state.
The swearing-in followed the recent vetting and approval process conducted by Parliament’s Appointments Committee.
Despite the large turnout, five appointed ministers were absent from the ceremony. According to Nakyobe, one of the ministers was indisposed while the cases of the remaining four had been submitted to the President for guidance.
“The four, as per your directive, the Solicitor General and I interfaced with them over the weekend, and a brief has been made and handed over to the PPS this morning for your further guidance,” she said.
Nakyobe congratulated the ministers upon their appointment and reminded them that the oath they had taken represented a solemn commitment to serve Ugandans with integrity, diligence, patriotism and humility.
She also assured them of the Public Service’s support in implementing government policies and programmes.
To facilitate their transition into office, Nakyobe announced an induction programme scheduled for June 14–23 at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi. The training will orient ministers on Cabinet procedures, government systems, policy implementation mechanisms and their responsibilities as members of the Executive.
The ceremony was attended by Speaker of Parliament Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth, Chief Justice Flavian Zeija, officials from the Inspectorate of Government, service chiefs, permanent secretaries, the Solicitor General, and relatives and friends of the newly sworn-in ministers.
