H.E President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on today has presided over the swearing-in of Uganda’s new Cabinet at State House Entebbe, officially ushering in the Executive team that will steer government affairs during the 2026–2031 term.

A total of 79 ministers, including Vice President Jessica Rose Epel Alupo and Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, took the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office in a ceremony that marked the formal commencement of their duties. Four ministerial appointees were absent from the ceremony due to unresolved citizenship concerns, while First Lady Janet Kataha Museveni also did not participate.

However, four ministers-designate did not take the oath after questions emerged regarding their citizenship status and eligibility to hold ministerial office under Uganda’s laws governing dual citizenship.

The affected appointees are Adonia Ayebare, the Minister designate for Foreign Affairs; Calvin Echodu, the State Minister designate for Foreign Affairs; Shartsi Musherure, the State Minister-designate for Microfinance; and Dr. Lawrence Muganga, the state Minister designate for Internal Affairs.

Uganda’s Constitution and the Citizenship and Immigration Control Act prohibit holders of dual citizenship from occupying certain sensitive public offices, including ministerial positions, unless they fully comply with the prescribed legal requirements.

Parliament’s Appointments Committee had previously scrutinized the nominees following concerns raised by the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control. While some of the affected individuals reportedly initiated processes to renounce their foreign citizenship, the matter remained unresolved at the time of the swearing in ceremony.

Muganga’s nomination attracted particular scrutiny due to questions surrounding his citizenship status, with reports indicating that the parliamentary committee declined to approve his appointment pending clarification.

The absence of First Lady Janet Museveni, who was reappointed Minister of Education and Sports, also attracted public attention. She was not vetted alongside other nominees and did not participate in Monday’s ceremony.

Government officials indicated that the unresolved cases will ultimately be determined by President Museveni as the appointing authority. The President may allow affected nominees additional time to complete the renunciation process, reassign portfolios, or nominate replacements subject to parliamentary approval.

Political analysts say the developments have reignited debate over Uganda’s dual citizenship laws and the balance between attracting skilled professionals from the diaspora and maintaining constitutional safeguards for holders of sensitive public offices.

For the ministers who took the oath, however, work begins immediately as the government embarks on implementing its priorities for the next five years.

The remaining ministerial positions are expected to be filled once the outstanding legal and constitutional questions are resolved.