President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has presided over the swearing-in of Uganda’s newly appointed Cabinet ministers and Ministers of State.
The ceremony took place at State House Entebbe on June 8, 2026. A total of 78 members of the executive took the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Minister.
The oaths formally allowed the ministers to assume their duties in government.
Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye guided the swearing-in ceremony. Senior government officials, judicial leaders, security chiefs, permanent secretaries, families and friends of the ministers attended the event.
Museveni congratulates new ministers
President Museveni gave a brief message to the newly sworn-in leaders.
“Here, I just congratulate you and wish you good luck,” the President said.
Among those sworn in were Vice President Jessica Alupo and Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, who also serves as Leader of Government Business in Parliament.
Other senior officials who took oath included First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs Rebecca Kadaga, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament Dr Crispus Walter Kiyonga, and Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio Lukia Nakadama.
Cabinet ministers take oath
Several Cabinet ministers also took the oath of office.
They included Minister for the Presidency Babirye Milly Babalanda, Minister of Security Jim Muhwezi, Minister in the Office of the President in charge of Science, Technology and Innovation Eng Jonard Asiimwe, and Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs Minsa Kabanda.
Others were Minister for General Duties Eng Hillary Onek, Government Chief Whip Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Sam Engola, and Minister for Karamoja Affairs John Baptist Lokii.
The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries Frank Tumwebaze, Attorney General Sam Mayanja, Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs Kiryowa Kiwanuka, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development Dr Monica Musenero, and Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Henry Musasizi also took oath.
Other Cabinet ministers sworn in included Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde Kakurugu, Minister of Health Dr Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of ICT and National Guidance Justine Kasule Lumumba, Minister of Internal Affairs Prof Ephraim Kamuntu, and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Norbert Mao.
The list also included Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Judith Nabakooba, Minister of Local Government Balaam Barugahara, Minister of Public Service Gen Katumba Wamala, Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Tom Butime, Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Sanjay Tanna, Minister of Water and Environment Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire, and Minister of Works and Transport Fred Byamukama.
Ministers of State sworn in
Ministers of State under the Office of the President and Office of the Vice President also took oath.
They included Minister of State for Economic Monitoring Sandra Santa Alum, Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity Rose Akello, and Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President Diana Nankunda Mutasingwa.
Under the Office of the Prime Minister, those sworn in included Minister of State for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Lillian Aber, Minister of State for Northern Uganda Beatrice Akello, Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs Esther Davinia Anyakun, Minister of State for Luwero Triangle-Rwenzori Region Alice Kaboyo, Minister of State for Bunyoro Affairs Grace Mary Mugasa, and Minister of State for Teso Affairs Dr Ongalo-Obote.
The Minister of State for Agriculture Desire Muhooza, Minister of State for Animal Industry Bright Rwamirama, and Minister of State for Fisheries Robert Ndugwa Migadde also took oath.
Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi was also sworn in.
Other ministers of state who took oath included Grace Ngabirano Akifeza for Defence, Huda Oleru for Veteran Affairs, Magode Ikuya for East African Affairs, Dr John Chrysestom Muyingo for Higher Education, Phyllis Chemutai for Primary Education, and Peter Ogwang for Sports.
Finance, energy and social sector ministers assume office
The ceremony also saw Sidronius Opolot Okasai sworn in as Minister of State for Energy and Phiona Nyamutoro as Minister of State for Minerals.
Cissy Mulondo took oath as Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development in charge of General Duties. Amos Lugoloobi was sworn in as Minister of State for Planning, while Amina Mukalazi took oath as Minister of State for Privatization and Investment.
Kyeyune Haruna Kasolo was sworn in as Minister of State for Regional Affairs.
Under the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, the ministers of state sworn in included Mary Kamuli Kuteesa for Gender and Culture, Mercy Faith Lakisa for Youth and Children Affairs, Simon Mulongo for Employment and Industrial Relations, Joyce Acan Okeny for Disability Affairs, and Jacqueline Mbabazi for Elderly Affairs.
In the health sector, Anifa Bangirana Kawooya took oath as Minister of State for Health in charge of General Duties, while Dr Charles Ayume was sworn in as Minister of State for Primary Health Care.
Joyce Ssebugwawo took oath as Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance in charge of Information. Alioni Yorke Odria was sworn in as Minister of State for National Guidance.
Other ministers of state take oath
Kabuye Kyofatogabye was sworn in as Minister of State for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs.
Persis Namuganza took oath as Minister of State for Housing, Margaret Muhanga Mugisa as Minister of State for Urban Development, Harriet Ntabazi as Minister of State for Lands, Justine Nameere as Minister of State for Local Government, and Lydia Wanyoto Mutende as Minister of State for Public Service.
Other ministers sworn in included Susan Nakawuki Nsambu for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Tom Aza for Cooperatives, David Bahati for Industry, Gen Wilson Mbadi for Trade, Beatrice Anywar for Environment, Aisha Sekindi for Water, Siraji Musa Ali for Works, and Julius Maganda Wandera for Transport.
Ministers take two constitutional oaths
All ministers took two key oaths during the ceremony.
The Oath of Allegiance requires them to pledge loyalty to the Republic of Uganda and to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.
The Oath of Minister binds them to serve the Republic of Uganda faithfully, uphold the Constitution, advise the President in the execution of his duties, and maintain confidentiality on matters of state.
The ceremony followed a vetting exercise conducted last week by Parliament’s Appointments Committee.
Five appointed ministers absent
Despite the large turnout, five appointed ministers did not attend the swearing-in ceremony.
According to Ms Nakyobe, one of the five appointed Cabinet ministers was indisposed.
“The four, as per your directive, the Solicitor General and I interfaced with them over the weekend, and a brief has been made and handed over to the PPS this morning, for your further guidance,” Ms Nakyobe said.
On behalf of the public service, Ms Nakyobe congratulated the new Cabinet members.
She reminded them that the oath they had taken was both a constitutional requirement and a solemn commitment to serve Ugandans with integrity, diligence, patriotism and humility.
“This means putting the interests of your country above personal interests and dedicating yourselves fully to advancing the welfare and prosperity of our citizens,” she said.
“As the Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, I would like to assure you that the Public Service stands ready to support you in the execution of your responsibilities, and I urge you to embrace teamwork, collective responsibility, and constructive engagement with the public service, whose role is to support you in translating government policies and priorities into tangible results for our people,” she added.
Cabinet induction set for Kyankwanzi
Ms Nakyobe said an induction programme had been organised to support the new ministers as they transition into their offices.
The training will run from June 14 to June 23, 2026, at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi.
The programme will orient ministers on Cabinet procedures and rules, Cabinet business, government structures and systems, policy implementation mechanisms, and their key responsibilities as members of the executive.
The ceremony was also attended by Speaker of Parliament Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth, Chief Justice Dr Flavian Zeija, officials from the Inspectorate of Government, service chiefs, permanent secretaries, the Solicitor General, families and friends of the newly sworn-in ministers.
