By Karim Were
KAMPALA — President Yoweri Museveni has appointed Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) Greater Mpigi coordinator Juma Witonze Kisekka** as the new State Minister for Internal Affairs.
Witonze replaces **Dr Lawrence Muganga**, whose nomination for the same position did not secure approval from Parliament’s Appointments Committee.
A diplomat and politician, Witonze currently serves as the Chief Coordinator of the Patriotic League of Uganda in the Greater Mpigi region. He has also previously contested for a seat in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and recently expressed interest in the by-election for the regional Parliament.
His appointment follows the conclusion of the vetting process for Dr Muganga, whose nomination was referred back after the Appointments Committee raised concerns regarding his citizenship status.
According to officials familiar with the proceedings, the committee relied on a verification report from the Ministry of Internal Affairs indicating that Muganga had links to Ugandan, Canadian and Rwandan citizenship.
Sources said other ministerial nominees who faced similar questions over dual citizenship, including Adonia Ayebare, Calvin Echodu and Shartsi Kutesa Musherure, presented documentation indicating they had initiated formal renunciation procedures with the relevant foreign authorities.
However, the committee reportedly found that Dr Muganga had not provided comparable documentation during his appearance before the committee, despite disputing claims that he remained a Rwandan citizen.
The committee subsequently referred the matter to President Museveni, who has now appointed Witonze to fill the ministerial position.
Witonze’s appointment fills the vacancy in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and marks his entry into Cabinet.
Further details regarding his swearing-in and assumption of office are expected to be communicated by the relevant government authorities.
