Breaking: Museveni Weighs Juma Uwitonze as Replacement for Dr Muganga as Internal Affairs State Minister

KAMPALA — President Yoweri Museveni is considering Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) Greater Mpigi coordinator Juma Uwitonze as a possible replacement for State Minister-designate for Internal Affairs Dr. Lawrence Muganga, following the latter’s failure to secure approval from Parliament’s Appointments Committee, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions.

“Uwitonze is being considered for the post of State Minister of Internal Affairs,” said a source who preferred anonymity to speak freely.

”There were other proposals but Museveni believes Uwitonze is the perfect replacement for Muganga who failed the parliament vetting test,” the source emphasized.

Muganga’s nomination stalled after Parliament’s Appointments Committee raised questions about his citizenship status during vetting.

Officials familiar with the proceedings said the committee relied on a verification report from the Ministry of Internal Affairs indicating that Muganga was associated with Ugandan, Canadian and Rwandan citizenship.

According to the sources, while other nominees facing dual-citizenship questions—including Adonia Ayebare, Calvin Echodu and Sharsti Kutesa Musherure—submitted documentation showing they had initiated formal renunciation procedures with the relevant foreign authorities, Muganga did not present comparable documentation to the committee.

The sources further said Muganga disputed assertions that he remained a Rwandan citizen, but committee members maintained that they required documentary evidence from the relevant authorities before recommending his approval.

The matter was subsequently referred back to President Museveni.

Presidential aides say Uwitonze has emerged as one of the names under consideration should the President decide to nominate another candidate for the portfolio.

A diplomat and politician, Uwitonze serves as the Chief Coordinator of the Patriotic League of Uganda in the Greater Mpigi region and has previously sought election to the East African Legislative Assembly.

According to the sources, one factor weighing in his favour is his engagement with issues affecting sections of the Banyarwanda community, particularly complaints relating to delays in obtaining national identity cards and passports.

Government officials say those concerns have featured prominently in discussions between President Museveni and leaders from the community in recent years, culminating in the President’s January 2025 executive directive instructing immigration authorities to ensure that eligible Ugandan citizens are not denied passports or other identification documents because of their ethnicity.

If nominated and subsequently approved by Parliament, Uwitonze would be expected to help oversee implementation of government policies within the Internal Affairs docket, including measures aimed at addressing longstanding complaints over access to national identity documents while ensuring compliance with Uganda’s citizenship laws.

Neither State House nor Uwitonze had publicly commented on the reported discussions by the time of publication.

Any appointment would require a formal nomination by President Museveni and approval by Parliament’s Appointments Committee.