President Yoweri Museveni has retired Pius Bigirimana and 10 other permanent secretaries in a reshuffle that also brings 13 new appointments, retains 16 officials in their current positions and redeploys 11 others to different government institutions.
The changes, announced on Monday, November 9, 2026, affect several key government institutions, including the Judiciary, Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Works and Transport, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Defence.
In a statement, Museveni said he had exercised his constitutional powers under the 1995 Constitution to make the appointments, retain some officials, redeploy others and retire those whose service had come to an end.
“I have appointed, retained and redeployed Permanent Secretaries and other senior public officers as indicated below,” Museveni said.
Among those retiring is Bigirimana, one of Uganda’s most prominent and long-serving public servants, who was serving as Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Judiciary. According to sources near Bigirimana, he at one time thought he would be head of public service and was expectant this time too that his contract would be renewed.
Bigirimana was appointed to the Judiciary in 2019 after serving as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development since 2013. Before that, he headed the Office of the Prime Minister between 2008 and 2013.
His public service career began in 1983 as an Assistant District Commissioner in Kisoro. He subsequently served in Mbale and held several positions in government, including in the ministries of Education and Sports, Public Service and Health.
At the Judiciary, Bigirimana was responsible for administrative and financial management, including budgeting, human resources, procurement and institutional support.
Another prominent official on the retirement list is Adolf Mwesige Kasaija, the former Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs who was appointed Clerk to Parliament in 2021.
Mwesige previously served as Minister of Local Government from 2009 to 2016 before moving to the Defence ministry, where he served until 2021. He also represented Bunyangabu County in Parliament before and after its elevation to district status.
His retirement comes alongside the appointment of Edward Sengonzi Damulira as the new Clerk to Parliament.
Other officials retired by Museveni are 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 and Rose N. Kafeero. At the Ministry of Agriculture, there were celebrations upon hearing that Maj. Gen. Kasura had been dropped. It is said that his relationship with the senior minister had worsened.
Mwanje had served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of East African Community Affairs since the ministry’s establishment in 2007, making her one of the longest-serving officials in the position.
Museveni appointed 13 officials to head various government institutions.
They include Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga at the Office of the Prime Minister, Prof. Stephen Akandwanaho at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Aggrey Wunyi at the Ministry of East African Community Affairs and Mark Sseremba at the Ministry of Public Service.
Others are Kenneth Akiri at the Ministry of Water and Environment, Barbara Namugambe at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Charles Ssentongo at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Maureen Kasande at the Inspectorate of Government.
Engineer Flavia Guto Bwire has been appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Transport, while Edith Butuuro takes up the position at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.
Sheba Kyobutungi Rujoki has been appointed to the Office of the President in charge of Science, Technology and Innovation, while Betty Mutesa Cwinya-ai moves to the Public Service Commission.
Damulira has been appointed Clerk to Parliament.
The President retained 16 officials in their current positions, including Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye, Deputy Head of Public Service Mary T. Wenene, State House Comptroller Jane Barekye and Dr Ramathan Ggoobi, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
Others retained include Dr Diana Atwiine at the Ministry of Health, Engineer Irene Bateebe at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Dr Kedrace Rwankore Turyagyenda at the Ministry of Education and Sports, Lieutenant General Joseph Musanyufu at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Robert Kasande at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
The list also includes Solicitor General Pius Perry Biribonwoha, Dr Asuman Lukwago, Ketty Lamaro, Kainza Agnes Nzogi, Gloria Asio Omaswa and Yunus Kakande.
Eleven officials were retained in public service but redeployed to other institutions.
They include Doreen Silver Katusiime to the Judiciary, Bagiire Vincent Waiswa to the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Catherine Birakwate Musingwiire to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and Benjamin Kumumanya to the Judicial Service Commission.
Dunstan Balaba moves to the Ministry of Local Government, Lynette B. Bagonza to Ethics and Integrity, Nkeramihigo Julius Victor to the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, while Alex Kakooza moves to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.
Dr Aminah Zawedde has been redeployed to the Office of the Prime Minister in charge of coordination, Aggrey David Kibenge becomes Principal Private Secretary to the Vice President, while Rosette Byengoma takes up the position of Senior Presidential Advisor on Defence Procurement.
Museveni said the decisions were made in accordance with the constitutional powers vested in the President.
