President Yoweri Museveni has reshuffled Uganda’s top civil service, dropping long-serving Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige and replacing permanent secretaries across several key ministries.
Announced on Sunday, November 8, 2026, the sweeping changes come as Parliament transitions into its 12th term following years of administrative and financial scandals. Museveni has nominated Edward Sengonzi Damulira, the current Under Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, to succeed Mwesige.
An economist who previously served as the Under Secretary and Accounting Officer at the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development. He has also held roles in the Office of the President and the Ministry of Health. Holds a PhD in Economics, a Master’s degree in Economic Policy and Planning, and a Bachelor’s degree in Quantitative Economics from Makerere University.
The change was part of the same major civil service shake-up that appointed Edith Butturo to the Ministry of Defence. Like all 13 permanent secretaries nominated in this reshuffle, Dr. Damulira’s appointment undergoes assessment by the Public Service Commission
The reshuffle was executed under Article 174(2) of the 1995 Constitution, with Museveni directing the Public Service Commission to vet the suitability of the nominees before final vetting.
Mwesige’s five-year tenure as Clerk was heavily overshadowed by corruption probes, staff validation audits, and high-profile arrests within the parliamentary administration. The administrative overhaul follows intense public scrutiny fueled by the March 2024 “Parliament Exhibition”—an online accountability campaign that exposed a controversial Shs 1.7 billion service award to commissioners and massive spending on foreign trips and donations.
The fallout from these scandals led to:
- Ex-Speaker Restrictions: Former Speaker Anita Annet Among was confined to her Nakasero residence under tight security for nearly 100 days following her exit from office.
- Massive Protests: Public outrage sparked the July 2024 “March to Parliament” anti-corruption protests, resulting in the arrest of several youth activists.
- Criminal Charges: In July 2026, the Inspectorate of Government (IG) charged seven Parliament officials with embezzlement and money laundering involving billions of shillings.
- Illegal Hiring Practices: An August 2026 IG report revealed that the previous leadership bypassed regulations to recruit 182 employees without advertising, some of whom lacked basic academic qualifications.
Beyond Parliament, Museveni targeted several strategic ministries for leadership transitions:
- ICT & National Guidance: Prof. Stephen Akandwanaho, an expert in computer science and artificial intelligence, replaces Dr. Aminah Zawedde.
- Defence & Veteran Affairs: Edith Butuuro, the ministry’s current Under Secretary of Finance and Administration, has been promoted to replace Rosette Byengoma.
- Foreign Affairs: Career diplomat Charles Ssentongo, who joined the ministry in 1990 and has served in London and Washington, replaces Ambassador Patrick Mugoya.
- Office of the Prime Minister: Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga (replacing Alex Kakooza).
- Water and Environment: Kenneth Akiri (replacing Alfred Okot Okidi).
- Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries: Barbara Namugambe (replacing Pius Wakabi).
- Public Service: Mark Sseremba (replacing Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire).
- Works and Transport: Eng. Flavia Guto Bwire (replacing Waiswa Bageya).
- East African Community Affairs: Aggrey Wunyi (replacing Edith N. Mwanje).
- Public Service Commission: Betty Mutesa Cwinya-ai (replacing Dr. John Geoffrey Mbabazi).
- Inspectorate of Government: Maureen Kasande (replacing Rose N. Kafeero).
- Science, Technology, and Innovation (Office of the President): Sheeba Kyobutungi Rujoki.
