President Yoweri Museveni has appointed Hon. Juma Witonze Kisekka as the new Minister of State for Internal Affairs, replacing Dr. Lawrence Muganga, whose appointment was rejected by Parliament’s Appointments Committee during the recent ministerial vetting process.
Dr. Lawrence Muganga, the Vice Chancellor of Victoria University, had initially been nominated by President Museveni for the same position as part of the new Cabinet appointments. However, his nomination failed to secure Parliament’s approval after members of the Appointments Committee raised concerns over his eligibility to hold public office.
During the vetting, legislators questioned Dr. Muganga about his previous Canadian citizenship. The committee argued that ministers are required to meet constitutional qualifications, including not owing allegiance to another country. Although Dr. Muganga maintained that he had renounced his Canadian citizenship and was fully eligible for the position, the committee was not convinced by the documents and explanations presented.
As a result, Parliament declined to approve his appointment, effectively removing him from the list of ministers who were cleared to join Cabinet. The decision generated widespread public debate, with many Ugandans expressing mixed views over the interpretation of the constitutional requirements for public officials.
With the position left vacant following Dr. Muganga’s rejection, President Museveni has now appointed Hon. Juma Witonze Kisekka as the new Minister of State for Internal Affairs. The appointment ensures that the ministry regains full political leadership as it continues to oversee key government security and administrative functions.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs is one of Uganda’s most important ministries, supervising institutions such as the Uganda Police Force, the Uganda Prisons Service, the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, and the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA). These agencies play a vital role in maintaining national security, managing immigration, and providing identity registration services to Ugandans.
Hon. Kisekka is expected to support the ministry’s efforts to strengthen security, improve service delivery, and implement government programmes aimed at protecting citizens and maintaining public order. His appointment comes at a time when the government is focused on enhancing the efficiency of key public institutions.
The appointment also closes the chapter on Dr. Lawrence Muganga’s unsuccessful ministerial bid and opens a new one for Hon. Juma Witonze Kisekka, who now takes over one of the country’s important leadership roles. Many Ugandans will be watching to see how he performs as he begins serving in the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
