President Museveni Swears In Three New Ministers and Addresses Dual Citizenship

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni swore in three new cabinet ministers at State House, Entebbe, while issuing warnings against government corruption and clarifying the state’s stance on dual citizenship. The appointees include Adonia Ayebare, Shartsi Kutesa Musherure, and Witonze Juma, according to Watchdog Uganda.

The ceremony follows a period of administrative delay for several nominees. According to Nile Post, some of the ministers sworn in had previously missed a June 8 ceremony due to questions regarding their citizenship status. The newly inducted officials are:

• Hon. Amb. Adonia Ayebare: Minister of Foreign Affairs.
• Hon. Shartsi Kutesa Musherure: Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development in charge of Microfinance.
• Hon. Witonze Juma: Minister of State for Internal Affairs.

Before assuming their roles, the ministers subscribed to the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of a Minister as required by Article 115 and the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution, Watchdog Uganda reported.

Museveni Mandates Fight Against Corruption

During the ceremony, President Museveni instructed the new ministers to prioritize the elimination of inefficiency and corruption within government institutions. He stated that public service integrity must be restored through accountability and effective supervision, according to Watchdog Uganda.

The President attributed many of the challenges facing government institutions to negligence or the direct involvement of political leaders and civil servants in corrupt practices, Watchdog Uganda reported.

Dual Citizenship and Loyalty Requirements

President Museveni used the event to reiterate the government’s position on dual citizenship, linking the current laws to Uganda’s history of political instability. He cited the 1966 crisis involving the Kabaka of Buganda, Sir Edward Muteesa II, and the subsequent regime of Idi Amin as periods that forced many citizens into exile, according to Watchdog Uganda.

The dual citizenship arrangement was introduced to address a difficult history. But one must choose where their loyalty lies. If we are to have unity, then let us unite, but you cannot owe allegiance to two sides. For neighbouring countries, it is important that people make a clear choice, or we move towards an East African Federation.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni via Watchdog Uganda

Museveni noted that the East African Federation is the long-term solution for regional integration and questions of identity, according to both Watchdog Uganda and Nile Post.

Unresolved Appointments and Cabinet Vacancies

While Ayebare and Musherure were cleared after reportedly renouncing their foreign citizenship, other appointments remain unresolved. Nile Post reports that Calvin Echodu, the designate State Minister for Foreign Affairs in charge of international affairs, missed the swearing-in ceremony again.

Echodu was appointed on May 26 but has not taken office nearly three months later. He is currently working to complete the renunciation of his American citizenship, according to Nile Post. Although Echodu returned to Uganda on Monday morning, it remains unclear if the renunciation process is complete.

The cabinet also saw a replacement in the Internal Affairs docket. Nile Post reports that former State Minister-designate Lawrence Muganga was replaced by Witonze Juma after the Parliament Appointments Committee remained unconvinced by Muganga’s position on his foreign citizenship.

Hon. Ephraim Kamuntu, Minister for Internal Affairs, thanked the President for fulfilling his constitutional mandate and for his patience regarding the citizenship resolutions, according to Watchdog Uganda. Kamuntu urged the new ministers to help Uganda achieve middle-income status during the current government term.

The ministers were presented to the President by Ms. Lucy Nakyobe, the Secretary to Cabinet and Head of Public Service, Watchdog Uganda reported.