Dr. Kenneth Omona Olusegun on Tuesday officially handed over office to the President's new Principal Private Secretary (PPS), Gloria Asio Omaswa.

This followed Omona's appointment as Minister of State for Northern Uganda by President Yoweri Museveni in last week's Cabinet reshuffle.

In the reforms, Omaswa was appointed the new PPS.

The handover function took place at the Office of the President in Kampala, with the Secretary of the Office of the President, Hajj Yunus Kakande, representing the Minister for Presidency, Milly Babirye Babalanda, as the chief guest.

Kakande said Omona's appointment as minister is a vote of confidence by the President.

“I would like to congratulate Dr Omona for the elevation he has got to become a minister, and having worked closely with the President, that means he has faith and trust in you. Otherwise, there are many who have left that office and have not been deployed anywhere,” he said on behalf of Babalanda.

'Wealth of experience'

Kakande turned to Omona's successor Omaswa with advice.

"I advise you that as the PPS, you will have to work with all the people who like to associate with the President because he is a man of the people. You should have empathy and work with the team. Then I don’t see you failing in the State House. 

"To the Staff of State House, give the new PPS all the support she needs and make her succeed.”

The Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, Lucy Nakyobe, commended Omona for his dedication, commitment and exemplary service to the President.

She said Omona led with diligence and contributed to the smooth running of State House and performance of the President and that his contributions will forever be remembered.

“We have good memories of our colleague Dr Omona as he leaves us, but he has been elevated and he will still be around us. We are also glad that we are receiving a new crop, Madam Asio, who is coming in and bringing a wealth of experience to the public service."

Nakyobe added: “At the same time, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations upon the milestone that Dr Omona has just achieved after being appointed a minister in this government. We pray that the good Lord continues guiding you. 

"In that same vein, I want to take this opportunity to thank the President for appreciating your work and elevating you to that position. Let me also warmly welcome the incoming PPS, Asio Gloria, to this esteemed position and congratulate her upon this big achievement.”

'Fresh perspective'

In the same spirit, State House Comptroller Jane Barekye thanked Omona for his dedicated service to the President and Uganda as a whole and assured the new PPS of support to continuously improve State House and deliver on their mission.

“Dr Omona took over the office of the PPS in December 2019 for a challenging but at the same time rewarding career. All these years, he has served with commitment and dedication to His Excellency the President. 

"It is no surprise that he leaves the Office of the PPS to join the Cabinet as a minister. Congratulations Dr Omona for being elevated to the position of Minister. I thank you for all you have done, and I wish you all the best in your new position. We will continue to count on you as a friend and a colleague,” said Barekye.

“To the incoming PPS, I wish to congratulate you upon your appointment, and we send our warmest welcome to you. You find a team of hardworking men and women; we are excited that you are here. 

"We promise to work with you to ensure that we bring a fresh perspective to this office. State House is a family of highly dedicated individuals who always look forward to serving our President and the nation."

On her part, Omaswa thanked God and President Museveni for giving her an opportunity to serve Uganda through her new appointment.

“I would like to thank the outgoing PPS for the good work you have done to drive the agenda of pushing President Museveni’s vision forward. I look forward to knowing you individually, to working with you and working to develop our nation."

'Lucky and privileged'

In his comments, Omona thanked President Museveni for giving him an opportunity to serve him for the last four years as the PPS. 

“I thank him for this great opportunity he has given me by working very closely with him. It is such a great privilege, I am forever grateful for this opportunity.

“The President has been a parent to me, my leader and mentor. If anyone asks me to describe President Museveni, I would say I have been privileged to work with such a rare leader in the world. I am not God but humanly, I may say that I may never again work very closely with a wise man compared to President Museveni. 

"I am lucky and privileged to have worked with a man whom I call a philosopher, patriot and a scholar of our history if I may say.”

'Museveni a great man'

Omona informed Omaswa that she is fortunate that she is going to work with a person like President Museveni.

“My sister Gloria, I want to thank God for you because you have a great opportunity to work with the President. He is such a great man, and the State House is such a great institution with very nice people. They will help you to find your footing,” he said. 

“Of course, I am very grateful to all of you here who have helped me do my work well and I request that as I go where I am going, please continue supporting me and I will support you also. Friends, as I leave today, I leave with a warm heart and gratitude."