President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has sworn in three newly appointed ministers at State House, Entebbe, urging them to prioritise the fight against corruption and inefficiency in government institutions.
The ministers are Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Shartsi Kutesa Musherure, Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development in charge of Microfinance; and Witonze Juma, Minister of State for Internal Affairs.
Before assuming office, the three took and subscribed to the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of a Minister as required under Article 115 of the Constitution.
Congratulating the new ministers, President Museveni tasked them with restoring integrity in public service through effective supervision and accountability.
He said many challenges affecting government institutions are caused by negligence and the involvement of civil servants and political leaders in corrupt practices.
Museveni also reiterated his position on dual citizenship, saying Uganda’s citizenship laws must be understood in the context of the country’s history of political instability and exile.
He noted that periods such as the 1966 crisis and the regime of former President Idi Amin forced many Ugandans to flee the country.
The President said the dual citizenship arrangement was introduced partly to address this difficult history, but stressed that citizens must be clear about where their loyalty lies.
“The dual citizenship arrangement was introduced to address a difficult history. But one must choose where their loyalty lies,” Museveni said.
He added that for neighbouring countries, citizens should make a clear choice or embrace deeper regional integration through the proposed East African Federation.
Minister for Internal Affairs Ephraim Kamuntu thanked President Museveni for completing the appointment of the remaining ministers and commended him for his patience in handling issues surrounding dual citizenship.
Kamuntu urged the new ministers to work closely with their colleagues to advance the government’s development agenda and support efforts to achieve middle-income status.
Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet Lucy Nakyobe presented the ministers to the President during the ceremony, which was attended by senior government officials and family members of the newly sworn-in ministers.
