Parliament Vets Witonze as Internal Affairs State Minister

Witonze appearing before the Parliament’s Appointments Committee

KAMPALA — Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Thursday vetted Juma Witonze Kisekka for the position of State Minister for Internal Affairs, three days after President Yoweri Museveni formally nominated him to replace Dr. Lawrence Muganga.

The committee, chaired by Speaker Jacob Oboth-Oboth and comprising Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa and other Members of Parliament, concluded the vetting and will now forward its report to the President.

“The Appointments Committee chaired by the Speaker… has this morning vetted the recently appointed Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Hon. Witonze,” Parliament said in a statement.

“The committee… will now send its report to the President who nominated Witonze three days ago.”

Addressing journalists after the vetting, Witonze thanked President Museveni for entrusting him with the ministerial appointment.

“I thank His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni for considering me out of a population of 50 million Ugandans to serve as Minister of State for Internal Affairs,” Witonze said.

He also paid tribute to Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, saying his appointment followed years of mobilisation work under the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU).

“I also thank Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba for the support and guidance through the mobilisation work we have been doing. I remain committed to serving Ugandans diligently,” he said.

Witonze’s nomination followed Parliament’s rejection of Dr. Lawrence Muganga’s candidature over multiple citizenship concerns.

Since then, Rwanda has officially gazetted Muganga’s voluntary renunciation of Rwandan citizenship, confirming he had held Rwandan nationality before relinquishing it.

However, he would still need to complete the separate process of renouncing his Canadian citizenship before ceasing to hold any foreign nationality.

If approved by Parliament and sworn in by President Museveni, Witonze will formally assume office as State Minister for Internal Affairs in the coming days.