KAMPALA – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has announced a fresh round of senior government appointments, nominating 13 individuals to key administrative positions across government ministries, departments and institutions.
The changes, announced on Sunday, November 8, 2026, include the proposed appointment of Edith Butuuro as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, replacing Rosette Byengoma.
Butuuro currently serves as Under Secretary for Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs. Her nomination would see her take over the ministry’s top administrative office, placing her in charge of coordinating its day-to-day operations and overseeing the management of public resources.
The reshuffle also brings changes to several other government institutions, including the Ministry of Works and Transport, where President Museveni has nominated Eng. Flavia Guto Bwire for the position of Permanent Secretary.
Other nominees include Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga for the Office of the Prime Minister, Maureen Kasande for the Inspectorate of Government and Sheeba Kyobutungi Rujoki for the Office of the President, specifically in charge of Science, Technology and Innovation.
In the Ministry of Water and Environment, Kenneth Akiri has been nominated for the Permanent Secretary position, while Barbara Namugambe is the proposed candidate for the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is set to receive Charles Ssentongo as its proposed Permanent Secretary, while Prof. Stephen Akandwanaho has been nominated for the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance.
Mark Sseremba has been nominated for the Ministry of Public Service, with Aggrey Wunyi proposed for the Ministry of East African Community Affairs.
Beyond the ministerial changes, the President has also nominated Betty Mutesa Cwinya-ai to serve on the Public Service Commission and Edward Sengonzi Damulira for the position of Clerk to Parliament.
Appointments Await Public Service Commission Assessment
In communicating the nominations, Museveni referred to Article 174(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995, which provides for the appointment of Permanent Secretaries.
The nominations are, however, not yet final. The proposed candidates must first undergo an assessment by the Public Service Commission, which will evaluate their suitability before advising the President on the next course of action.
“I have directed the Public Service Commission to assess their suitability for appointment and advise me accordingly,” Museveni stated.
Permanent Secretaries occupy critical positions within Uganda’s public administration system. They serve as the principal accounting and administrative officers of ministries and are responsible for implementing government policies, supervising public servants, coordinating institutional programmes and ensuring accountability in the use of public funds.
The latest nominations are therefore expected to have implications for administrative leadership and service delivery across the affected government institutions once the assessment process is completed.
Full List of the 13 Presidential Nominees
- Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga – Office of the Prime Minister.
- Maureen Kasande – Inspectorate of Government.
- Sheeba Kyobutungi Rujoki – Office of the President (Science, Technology and Innovation).
- Kenneth Akiri – Ministry of Water and Environment.
- Barbara Namugambe – Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
- Charles Ssentongo – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Prof. Stephen Akandwanaho – Ministry of ICT and National Guidance.
- Mark Sseremba – Ministry of Public Service.
- Eng. Flavia Guto Bwire – Ministry of Works and Transport.
- Edith Butuuro – Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.
- Aggrey Wunyi – Ministry of East African Community Affairs.
- Betty Mutesa Cwinya-ai – Public Service Commission.
- Edward Sengonzi Damulira – Clerk to Parliament.