Museveni drops Mwesige as Clerk to Parliament

President Yoweri Museveni has dropped the Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige in a reshuffle that also names permanent secretaries for a string of key ministries and agencies.

Museveni has nominated Edward Sengonzi Damulira, currently under secretary at the ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, to take over from Mwesige. The changes were announced on Sunday, November 8, 2026.

The change comes as Parliament transitions from the turbulent 11th to the 12th Parliament, following investigations involving former speaker Anita Annet Among and allegations of administrative and financial irregularities during her tenure.

Mwesige’s five years at the helm of Parliament’s administration were overshadowed by probes into the institution’s leadership, allegations of financial misconduct, arrests of senior officials and, more recently, a validation exercise targeting Parliament staff.

Among was subsequently confined to her Nakasero residence under tight security restrictions for close to 100 days, raising questions about her political and public standing after she left the speakership.

One of the defining controversies of the 11th Parliament was the March 2024 Parliament Exhibition, an online accountability campaign that exposed questionable expenditure. This included a controversial Shs 1.7 billion service award to parliamentary commissioners, as well as spending on donations, foreign trips, and other activities.

The revelations triggered public outrage and anti-corruption protests, including the July 2024 March to Parliament, during which several young people were arrested. Scrutiny has continued. In July 2026, the Inspectorate of Government charged seven Parliament officials with embezzlement, causing financial loss and money laundering involving billions of shillings.

The officials are accused of offences committed while serving in different capacities at Parliament and are yet to be tried. An August 2026 Inspectorate report also faulted the previous parliamentary leadership for suspending the Human Resource Policy Manual and recruiting staff without advertising vacancies.

It found that 182 employees were recruited without advertisement between October 2021 and June 2026, some reportedly lacking the minimum academic qualifications for their positions. It also identified irregularities in staff placements, promotions and the approved staffing structure.

Mwesige, a former Bunyangabu County MP and Cabinet minister, took over as Clerk in July 2021, succeeding Jane Kibirige. Before that, he served as minister for General Duties in the Office of the President, minister of Local Government and minister of Defence.

Other changes

At the ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Prof Stephen Akandwanaho has been nominated to replace Dr Aminah Zawedde, who has headed the ministry since July 2021. Akandwanaho is a computer scientist and academic with expertise in information technology and artificial intelligence.

Zawedde holds a doctorate from Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands and has been associated with digital transformation and e-governance initiatives.

At the ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Edith Butuuro is lined up to replace Rosette Byengoma. Butuuro is currently under secretary in charge of Finance and Administration at the ministry, so her nomination is an internal promotion.

Other nominations are:

• Office of the Prime Minister:

  Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga, replacing Alex Kakooza.

• Water and Environment:

  Kenneth Akiri, replacing Alfred Okot Okidi.

• Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries:

  Barbara Namugambe, replacing Pius Wakabi. She was previously under secretary for Finance and Administration at the ministry of Works and Transport.

• Foreign Affairs:

  Charles Ssentongo, replacing Ambassador Patrick Mugoya. Ssentongo is a career diplomat who joined the ministry in 1990 and has served in Uganda’s missions in London, Dar es Salaam and Washington.

• Public Service:

  Mark Sseremba, replacing Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire. He previously served as Director of Human Resources at the National Agricultural Research Organisation and Commissioner of Human Resources at the ministry of Agriculture.

• Works and Transport:

  Eng. Flavia Guto Bwire, currently executive secretary of the National Building Review Board, replacing Waiswa Bageya.

• East African Community Affairs:

  Aggrey Wunyi, replacing Edith N. Mwanje.

• Public Service Commission:

  Betty Mutesa Cwinya-ai, replacing Dr John Geoffrey Mbabazi.

• Inspectorate of Government:

  Maureen Kasande, replacing outgoing accounting officer Rose N. Kafeero.

• Science, Technology and Innovation, Office of the President:

  Sheeba Kyobutungi Rujoki.

In his announcement, Museveni said he was exercising powers vested in him under Article 174(2) of the 1995 Constitution. He directed the Public Service Commission to assess the suitability of the nominees and advise him before the appointments are finalised.

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