President Yoweri Museveni has appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Regional Cooperation) Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo as Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, filling a leadership gap created by the delayed swearing-in of Foreign Affairs Minister-designate Adonia Ayebare.
In a letter dated June 22, 2026, Museveni invoked his powers under Article 99(1) of the Constitution to assign Kasolo the additional responsibility.
“In exercise of the powers vested in the President by Article 99(1) of the Constitution, I hereby appoint you as Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs in the absence of a substantive Minister,” Museveni wrote.
The appointment comes as uncertainty continues to surround the status of Ayebare, whose inauguration has been delayed over citizenship-related questions.
Ayebare was among four ministerial nominees who did not take oath during Monday’s Cabinet swearing-in ceremony at State House Entebbe.
The others are State Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs) Calvin Echodu, State Minister-designate for Microfinance Sharsti Kutesa Musherure and State Minister-designate for Internal Affairs Dr. Lawrence Muganga.
The four were excluded from the ceremony after government lawyers began reviewing issues relating to dual and multiple citizenship following Parliament’s vetting exercise.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa previously disclosed that Parliament had identified four nominees with dual or multiple citizenship concerns after verification by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
While Ayebare, Echodu and Musherure reportedly submitted evidence showing they had initiated renunciation of foreign citizenships, the government has been considering whether commencement of the process is sufficient under Ugandan law or whether nominees must first complete the renunciation process before assuming ministerial office.
The matter is currently before President Museveni following a review conducted by a committee comprising Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye, State House legal officer Florence Kiconco and Solicitor General Pius Perry Biribonwoha.
Speaking during Monday’s swearing-in ceremony, Nakyobe revealed that the committee had engaged the four nominees over the weekend and submitted a report to the President for guidance.
The appointment of Kasolo appears intended to ensure continuity at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as consultations continue over Ayebare’s status.
Kasolo himself was recently elevated in Museveni’s latest Cabinet reshuffle, moving from the Microfinance docket to become Minister of State for Foreign Affairs responsible for Regional Cooperation.
His temporary assignment means Uganda’s foreign affairs ministry will continue to have political leadership as the President considers the fate of the four unsworn ministers.
Government sources say Museveni is expected to make a decision after reviewing the committee’s recommendations and legal advice on the citizenship questions.
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