Ggoobi retained as Museveni reshuffles Trade, ICT Permanent Secretaries

KAMPALA. President Museveni has reshuffled senior officials overseeing some of Uganda’s key economic policy and investment institutions, retaining Finance Permanent Secretary Ramathan Ggoobi, redeploying Alex Kakooza to the Ministry of Trade and replacing Dr Aminah Zawedde with Prof Stephen Akandwanaho at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance.

The changes, announced on November 9, come as government pursues an ambitious tenfold economic growth strategy by 2040, with the ministries of Finance, Trade and ICT expected to play central roles in mobilising investment, expanding exports, improving the business environment and supporting digital transformation.

Although the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has not received a new Permanent Secretary, Dr Ggoobi’s retention provides continuity at an institution responsible for economic planning, public expenditure management, revenue mobilisation and coordination of government financing priorities.

The ministry is central to implementing the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), which seeks to accelerate economic growth through agro-industrialisation, tourism, mineral development, science, technology and innovation.

At the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Mr Kakooza has been redeployed from the Office of the Prime Minister, where he previously served as Permanent Secretary. His transfer places an experienced senior administrator in an institution responsible for promoting domestic and international trade, industrial development, investment and market access for Ugandan products.

The ministry is expected to play a key role in Uganda’s efforts to move away from exporting predominantly unprocessed commodities towards value addition, manufacturing and expanding access to regional and international markets.

The changes also extend to the ICT sector, where Prof Akandwanaho has been nominated to replace Dr Zawedde as Permanent Secretary.

Dr Zawedde has been transferred to the Office of the Prime Minister to take charge of Coordination.

The ICT ministry oversees policies and programmes relating to telecommunications, information technology, digital infrastructure and the development of the country’s digital economy.

Its leadership is particularly significant as government seeks to expand digital public services, improve connectivity, support technology-based businesses and strengthen the role of innovation in economic transformation.

The changes come at a time when Uganda is seeking to increase productivity, attract private capital and strengthen the competitiveness of local businesses as part of its ambition to grow the economy tenfold by 2040.

Other changes

Beyond the three economic policy areas, the reshuffle has affected several ministries responsible for infrastructure, agriculture, water, energy-related development and public administration.

At the Ministry of Works and Transport, Eng Flavia Guto Bwire has been nominated to replace Mr Waiswa Bageya, who has been retired.

Mr Bageya’s departure follows months of scrutiny over allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement relating to the Busega-Mpigi Expressway project. President Museveni asked him to step aside in June to allow investigations, although the Inspector General of Government, Lady Justice Aisha Naluzze Batala, cleared him of wrongdoing on October 23, 2026.

At the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Ms Barbara Namugambe has been nominated to replace Maj Gen (Rtd) David Kasura-Kyomukama, who has been retired.

Ms Namugambe previously served as Under Secretary for Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Works and Transport.

At the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Ms Edith Butuuro has been nominated to replace Ms Rosette Byengoma, who has been redeployed as Senior Presidential Advisor on Defence Procurement.

Mr Mark Sseremba has been nominated to replace Ms Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Service. Ms Musingwiire moves to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.

Other appointments include Mr Kenneth Akiri at the Ministry of Water and Environment, Mr Charles Ssentongo at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mr Aggrey Wunyi at the Ministry of East African Community Affairs.

Mr Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga has been nominated as Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, while Ms Sheeba Kyobutungi Rujoki takes up the Science, Technology and Innovation docket in the Office of the President.

At Parliament, Mr Edward Sengonzi Damulira has been nominated as Clerk, replacing Mr Adolf Mwesige Kasaija, who has also been retired.

Retirements and continuity

In total, President Museveni has retired 11 senior accounting officers, retained 16 officials in their current positions and redeployed another 11 to different government institutions, alongside the 13 new nominees.

Among those retired are Mr Bageya, Maj Gen Kasura-Kyomukama, Dr John Geoffrey Mbabazi, Ms Rose N. Kafeero, Mr Mwesige, Dr Rose Nassali Lukwago, Mr Alex B. Okello, Ms Dorcus W. Okalany, Ms Edith Nsaja Mwanje, Mr Alfred O. Okidi and Mr Pius Bigirimana.

Announcing the nominations, President Museveni said he was exercising his powers under Article 174(2) of the 1995 Constitution and directed the Public Service Commission to assess the nominees’ suitability and advise him before their appointments are finalised.

The retirements were effected under Articles 99 and 172(1)(a) of the Constitution.

The reshuffle places new administrators in several institutions expected to coordinate public investment, support private sector development and implement government programmes under NDP IV.