JUST IN: Museveni Appoints Juma Witonze Kisekka as State Minister for Internal Affairs

KAMPALA — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed Juma Witonze Kisekka as Uganda’s new Minister of State for Internal Affairs, bringing an end to months of uncertainty over a position that had remained vacant following the failed parliamentary approval of Dr. Lawrence Muganga.

The appointment, announced on Monday, places Kisekka in one of the country’s key security-related ministries. He will serve under Minister for Internal Affairs, Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu, and is expected to assist in overseeing critical government functions, including internal security coordination, immigration, citizenship, prisons, and other agencies under the ministry’s mandate.

Kisekka’s appointment comes after President Museveni’s earlier nominee, Dr. Lawrence Muganga, failed to secure parliamentary approval during the vetting process. Lawmakers raised concerns during the scrutiny of Muganga’s nomination, leading to the collapse of his appointment and leaving the State Minister position unoccupied for several months.

In recent days, reports had suggested that Kisekka was emerging as the leading candidate to replace Muganga, and Monday’s announcement has now confirmed those reports.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is one of Uganda’s most strategic government institutions, playing a central role in maintaining national security and public administration. The ministry supervises several key agencies, including the Uganda Police Force, the Uganda Prisons Service, the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, and the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).

As State Minister, Kisekka is expected to support the implementation of government policies aimed at strengthening internal security, improving service delivery in immigration and citizenship matters, and enhancing coordination among the ministry’s various departments and agencies.

Government officials have indicated that the newly appointed minister will be sworn into office before officially assuming his responsibilities. Details regarding the swearing-in ceremony are expected to be announced in the coming days.

The appointment comes at a time when the Ministry of Internal Affairs continues to oversee critical national security and administrative functions, making Kisekka’s role significant in supporting the government’s efforts to strengthen law enforcement, border management, national identification services, and public safety.

Further details surrounding the appointment and the official swearing-in ceremony are expected as government releases additional information.