President Yoweri Museveni has nominated 12 officials for appointment as Permanent Secretaries in various government ministries and institutions, in changes that will see several ministries get new accounting officers.
The nominations, announced on Sunday, November 8, 2026, also include economist Edward Sengonzi Damulira for appointment as Clerk to Parliament, replacing Adolf Mwesige, who has held the position since 2021.
Among those nominated are Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga for the Office of the Prime Minister, Maureen Kasande for the Inspectorate of Government, Professor Stephen Akandwanaho for the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, and Eng. Flavia Guto Bwire for the Ministry of Works and Transport.
In his announcement, Museveni said he was exercising powers vested in him under Article 174(2) of the 1995 Constitution, which provides for the appointment of Permanent Secretaries by the President.
“I have directed the Public Service Commission to assess their suitability for appointment and advise me accordingly,” Museveni said.
The nominations are therefore subject to assessment by the Public Service Commission before the appointments are finalised.
Mugunga, who has served as an Under Secretary in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, has been nominated for the Office of the Prime Minister, where he is expected to take over from Alex Kakooza.
Kasande, who has served in senior administrative positions in the Judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission, has been nominated for the Inspectorate of Government.
Sheeba Kyobutungi Rujoki has been nominated for the Office of the President, specifically the Science, Technology and Innovation docket, which coordinates government initiatives aimed at promoting scientific research, technological development and innovation.
Kenneth Akiri has been nominated for the Ministry of Water and Environment, replacing Alfred Okot Okidi, while Barbara Namugambe has been selected for the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
Namugambe is a lawyer and experienced public administrator who has served as Under Secretary for Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Works and Transport. Her responsibilities have included financial management, budgeting and administrative coordination.
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Charles Ssentongo has been nominated to replace Ambassador Patrick Mugoya. Ssentongo is a career diplomat who joined the Foreign Affairs Ministry in 1990 and has served in Uganda’s diplomatic missions in London, Dar es Salaam and Washington.
Professor Stephen Akandwanaho has been nominated to head the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, replacing Dr Aminah Zawedde.
Akandwanaho is a computer scientist and academic whose professional background includes information technology, computer science and artificial intelligence. His nomination comes at a time when the government is pursuing digital transformation and expanding the country’s technology sector.
Mark Sseremba has been nominated for the Ministry of Public Service, replacing Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire.
Sseremba is an experienced human resource practitioner and public administrator who has served in several government institutions, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), where he held senior human resource management positions.
Eng. Flavia Guto Bwire has been nominated for the Ministry of Works and Transport, replacing Waiswa Bageya. The ministry oversees the development and maintenance of national roads, bridges, railway infrastructure and other transport services.
At the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Edith Butuuro has been nominated to replace Rosette Byengoma. Butuuro has served as the ministry’s Under Secretary for Finance and Administration and is familiar with its financial and administrative operations.
Aggrey Wunyi has been nominated for the Ministry of East African Community Affairs, replacing Edith Mwanje. The ministry coordinates Uganda’s participation in regional integration programmes and engagement with other East African Community member states.
Betty Mutesa Cwinya-ai has been nominated for the Public Service Commission, the institution responsible for key public service recruitment, appointments, promotions and disciplinary processes.
In a related development, Museveni has nominated Edward Sengonzi Damulira for appointment as Clerk to Parliament, replacing Adolf Mwesige.
Damulira is an economist with extensive experience in public financial management and government administration. He has previously served as an Under Secretary and Accounting Officer in the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, where he was involved in financial administration and economic management.
The Clerk to Parliament is the chief administrative officer of the Parliamentary Service and is responsible for overseeing the institution’s administration, supporting parliamentary business and ensuring the effective delivery of services to Members of Parliament.
Mwesige, a lawyer and former Cabinet minister, served as Bunyangabu County MP before leaving elective politics in 2021. He previously held ministerial positions in the Office of the President, Local Government and Defence before becoming Clerk to Parliament.
The nominations will affect several serving accounting officers, including Kakooza at the Office of the Prime Minister, Okidi at Water and Environment, Mugoya at Foreign Affairs, Zawedde at ICT, Bitarakwate Musingwiire at Public Service and Byengoma at Defence.
Museveni did not indicate whether the outgoing officials would be transferred to other government positions, redeployed or retired from public service.
Permanent Secretaries are the most senior civil servants in ministries and government departments. They serve as accounting officers, oversee the implementation of government policies and programmes, supervise public officers and ensure that public funds are utilised in accordance with approved budgets and financial regulations.
