President Yoweri Museveni’s latest nomination of 13 officials to key government administrative positions has sparked debate over regional representation, with former State Minister Betty Amongi questioning whether the appointments adequately reflect Uganda’s geographical diversity.
Amongi, a senior Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) politician, has criticised the new line-up, arguing that Northern Uganda continues to be marginalised in appointments to influential government positions.
In a statement issued on Monday, November 9, Amongi questioned why the greater Northern region, particularly Lango, appeared to have received limited representation in the latest nominations despite having qualified professionals capable of serving in senior public offices.
According to her assessment, Western Uganda received the largest share of the nominations, followed by Central and Eastern Uganda, while the greater Northern region secured only one or two positions.
She particularly questioned the absence of nominees from Lango, which she said has not had a Permanent Secretary in government for nearly a decade.
Amongi argued that regional representation should not be treated as competing with professional qualifications, saying government can identify competent individuals while ensuring that different parts of the country have fair opportunities in public service.
She also questioned whether the perceived imbalance was consistent with the government’s political relationship with Northern Uganda, noting that some leaders from the region had supported President Museveni and helped strengthen the ruling National Resistance Movement’s political presence there.
Her criticism has brought renewed attention to the criteria used in selecting the country’s top civil servants and whether regional balance featured in the President’s latest administrative reshuffle.
The 13 nominees bring different professional and administrative backgrounds into their proposed positions.
Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga has been nominated for the Office of the Prime Minister, replacing Alex Kakooza.
Maureen Kasande has been nominated as Secretary to the Inspectorate of Government, replacing Rose Kafeero. She previously served in the Judiciary.
Sheeba Kyobutungi Rujoki has been nominated for the Office of the President, where she will oversee Science, Technology and Innovation.
Kenneth Akiri, formerly Under Secretary at the Ministry of Health, has been nominated for the Ministry of Water and Environment, replacing Dr Alfred Okot Okidi.
Barbara Namugambe, formerly Under Secretary at the Ministry of Works and Transport, has been nominated for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, replacing Maj. Gen. David Kasura Kyomukama.
Charles Ssentongo, a career diplomat who joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1990, has been nominated to head the same ministry, replacing Vincent Waiswa Bagiire.
Prof. Stephen Akandwanaho, formerly Chief Academic Officer at Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology, has been nominated for the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, replacing Dr Aminah Zawedde.
Mark Sseremba, formerly Commissioner for Human Resource Management at the Ministry of Agriculture, has been nominated for the Ministry of Public Service, replacing Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire.
Eng. Flavia Guto Bwire has been nominated for Works and Transport, replacing Waiswa Bageya.
Edith Butuuro, formerly Under Secretary for Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, has been nominated to replace Rosette Byengoma.
Aggrey Wunyi has been nominated for East African Community Affairs, replacing Edith Mwanje.
Betty Mutesa Cwinya-ai, formerly Under Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat, has been nominated as Secretary to the Public Service Commission, replacing Dr John Geoffrey Mbabazi.
Edward Sengonzi Damulira, formerly Under Secretary and Accounting Officer at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, has been nominated as Clerk to Parliament, replacing Adolf Mwesigye.
The backgrounds reveal a mixture of internal promotions, transfers across ministries and appointments from outside the traditional government administrative structure
The debate raises a broader question about how Uganda balances professional competence with geographical representation in senior public appointments.
Amongi acknowledged President Museveni’s longstanding emphasis on merit and suitability but argued that professional competence and equitable regional representation should not be treated as mutually exclusive.
She maintained that Northern Uganda has qualified professionals who can occupy senior government positions and called for greater transparency in the criteria used to select public officers.
However, the overall regional distribution of the new appointments remains subject to further clarification because the government has indicated that the reshuffle also involves retirements, retention of serving officials and additional changes yet to be communicated.
The President has directed the Public Service Commission to assess the suitability of the nominees and advise him before the appointments are finalised.
The central question now is whether the government will explain how regional diversity was considered in the selection process and whether the complete reshuffle will address the concerns raised by Amongi.
As Uganda awaits the final administrative changes, the debate over merit, fairness and equal representation in public service is likely to remain in focus.
