‘Be Clear Where Your Loyalty Lies’: Museveni Warns Dual Citizens at Ministerial Swearing-In

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has sworn in three newly appointed ministers, urging them to strengthen supervision, accountability and efficiency in government.

The ministers; Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Shartsi Kutesa Musherure, Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development in charge of Micro-Finance; and Witonze Juma, Minister of State for Internal Affairs—took their oaths of office at State House, Entebbe, on Tuesday.

Presiding over the ceremony, President Museveni congratulated the new ministers and tasked them with contributing to efforts to eliminate corruption and inefficiency across government.

Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Museveni emphasised the importance of proper supervision and accountability, saying ministers must ensure that public institutions deliver effectively and responsibly.

The President also used the occasion to address the politically sensitive question of dual citizenship, arguing that Ugandans who hold citizenship in more than one country should be clear about where their ultimate loyalty lies.

Museveni said dual citizenship was introduced partly in response to Uganda’s difficult historical circumstances, but maintained that questions of national loyalty remain important.

Hon. Shartsi Kutesa Musherure, Minister of State for Finance

He linked the debate to Uganda’s broader regional integration agenda, arguing that the long-term answer to questions of identity and citizenship in East Africa lies in the establishment of the East African Federation.

“The East African Federation remains the long-term solution to questions of identity and integration in our region,” Museveni said.

The swearing-in marks the formal assumption of office by the three ministers as the government moves into a new phase of implementation, with the President placing particular emphasis on fighting corruption, improving efficiency and strengthening accountability.

For Ayebare, the appointment places a career diplomat at the helm of Uganda’s foreign policy at a time when the country is seeking to deepen its role in regional and international affairs.

Hon. Witonze Juma, Minister of State for Internal Affairs

His appointment also comes as Uganda continues to position itself as an important diplomatic and security actor in the Great Lakes region, East Africa and beyond.