Nakyobe explains absence of four ministers during swearing-in
The four ministers-designate are: Adonia Ayebare, Foreign Affairs Minister; Shartsi Musherure, State Minister for Microfinance; Calvin Echodu, State Minister for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs); and Prof. Lawrence Muganga, State Minister for Internal Affairs.
Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, Lucy Nakyobe. (File photo)
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The Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, Lucy Nakyobe, has explained why the four appointed ministers were absent during the swearing-in of the new cabinet on Monday at State House, Entebbe.
The four ministers-designate are: Adonia Ayebare, Foreign Affairs Minister; Shartsi Musherure, State Minister for Microfinance; Calvin Echodu, State Minister for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs); and Prof. Lawrence Muganga, State Minister for Internal Affairs.
Although vetted by Parliament and some approved, the ministers did not appear at the swearing-in ceremony of the new cabinet ministers, raising questions about their whereabouts.
According to documents submitted to Parliament's Appointments Committee, the four were flagged over issues related to dual or multiple citizenship. The Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that some of the nominees either held dual citizenship or were still undergoing the process of renouncing foreign citizenship.
During the swearing-in ceremony, Nakyobe said she met the ministers together with the Solicitor General over the weekend, and the matter was discussed, and a report has been submitted to President Yoweri Museveni for guidance. Without divulging a name, Nakyobe said one other minister was indisposed.
“The four, as per your directive, the Solicitor General and I interfaced with them over the weekend and a brief has been made and handed over to the principal private secretary this morning for your further guidance,” Nakyobe stated.
The report is expected to guide the President's next course of action regarding the ministers' appointments and eventual swearing-in.
The Government has not yet publicly released details of the Solicitor General's findings or announced when a final decision will be made.
A total of 77 newly appointed ministers, including the Vice President and Prime Minister, convened at State House, Entebbe, on Monday to take their oath. The ceremony was presided over by President Museveni.