Museveni Reappoints 7 Permanent Secretaries, Drops One

President Yoweri Museveni has reappointed seven Permanent Secretaries (PSs) while promoting long-serving Internal Affairs Ministry Under Secretary, Lynette Bagonza, to head the Ministry of Trade. This move sees Bagonza replacing Geraldine Ssali, who was recently interdicted following corruption charges brought against her in the Anti-Corruption Court.

Bagonza, who has served as Under Secretary for 14 years, has been a steady presence in Uganda’s public service. Her tenure began at the Ministry of Tourism in 2012, where she succeeded Aggrey Kibenge. She has since worked across various ministries, including stints at the Cabinet Secretariat under the Office of the President and the Ministry of Public Service in Wandegeya. Bagonza’s appointment is largely attributed to Lucy Nakyobe, Head of Public Service, who believes that experienced administrative officers like Bagonza have the qualifications to excel in PS roles.

Her elevation is a reflection of President Museveni’s confidence in public servants who have been nurtured within the system. Bagonza’s appointment is expected to be formally approved by the Public Service Commission (PSC) this week. Sources suggest that Nakyobe’s influence could lead to more promotions for other long-serving Under Secretaries in the future, as the President continues to address gaps in the public service.

The change in leadership at the Ministry of Trade comes in the wake of Geraldine Ssali’s ouster. Unlike Ssali, who hailed from the Buganda region, Bagonza is from the Bunyoro sub-region. Her father, Kitekere, was a prominent CEO of the Lint Marketing Board during the early years of Museveni’s regime. Growing up in Kampala with access to high-quality education, Bagonza brings a wealth of experience and a strong administrative background to her new role.

President Museveni’s decision to reappoint Adolf Mwesige as Clerk to Parliament has also raised eyebrows. Mwesige’s reappointment comes amid concerns over corruption scandals linked to the Parliamentary Commission. Despite a recent High Court ruling implicating several parliamentary figures in a controversial Shs1.7bn Service Award, the President chose to retain Mwesige, reflecting his enduring loyalty to long-serving officials. Mwesige will now continue to oversee Parliament’s budget, which stands at close to Shs1 trillion, until August 2027.

Interestingly, while Museveni accepted the PSC’s recommendation to retain most of the Permanent Secretaries, he chose to exclude Education Ministry’s Ketty Lamalo from reappointment. The reasons for this decision remain confidential, though it is believed that the President had access to sensitive information regarding her conduct over the past three years. Lamalo’s removal surprised even PSC officials, who had initially deemed her suitable for reappointment.

As the PSC prepares to assess Bagonza’s qualifications for her new role at the Ministry of Trade, this latest reshuffle highlights the President’s ongoing efforts to maintain stability while addressing issues of performance and integrity within the public service. The appointments signal a continuation of Museveni’s strategy of relying on trusted, long-serving officials to navigate the complexities of Uganda’s governance landscape.