Foreign Affairs Minister Adonia Ayebare, State Minister for Microfinance Sharsti Kutesa Musherure, and State Minister for Internal Affairs Juma Witonze Kisekka have officially taken oath of office, formally beginning their service in Uganda’s new Cabinet.
The three ministers were sworn in on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at State House Entebbe, in a ceremony presided over by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who was the chief guest and administered the oaths. A report from the ceremony confirmed that Museveni personally presided over the swearing-in.
Ayebare takes over as Minister of Foreign Affairs, succeeding in the portfolio after serving as Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. His new assignment comes at a time when Uganda is seeking to strengthen its diplomatic relations and address several regional and international issues.
Musherure was sworn in as State Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development in charge of Microfinance, while Witonze takes on the role of State Minister for Internal Affairs.
Their swearing-in brings to an end a period of uncertainty surrounding the appointments. Ayebare and Musherure had not joined the rest of the Cabinet during the earlier swearing-in ceremony after questions were raised over their citizenship status. Parliament’s Appointments Committee had cleared them but advised that they complete the process of renouncing their United States citizenship before taking office. They subsequently completed the required process, paving the way for Tuesday’s ceremony.
For Witonze, the appointment followed Parliament’s rejection of the earlier nominee for the Internal Affairs State Minister position. His nomination was subsequently vetted and cleared, allowing him to take the oath alongside Ayebare and Musherure.
With the ceremony now complete, the three officials are formally in office and expected to begin executing their respective mandates.
Ayebare will face the task of representing Uganda on the international stage, while Musherure will be expected to oversee government efforts in the microfinance sector. Witonze, meanwhile, joins the Internal Affairs ministry at a time when issues surrounding national security, immigration and internal administration remain key government priorities.
The ceremony at State House therefore marked more than just a formal requirement—it officially cleared the way for the three ministers to take up their responsibilities and serve in President Museveni’s administration.
