President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed State Minister for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Cooperation, Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, as the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs following a vacancy in the ministry’s top leadership.
In a letter dated June 22, 2026, President Museveni invoked his constitutional powers under Article 99(1) to designate Kasolo to temporarily oversee the ministry until a substantive minister is appointed.
“In exercise of the powers vested in the President under Article 99(1) of the Constitution, I hereby appoint you as Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs in the absence of a substantive Minister,” the President stated in the letter.
The appointment comes as the Foreign Affairs docket remains vacant alongside three other ministerial positions after some nominees were found to hold dual citizenship, which is prohibited for holders of certain public offices under Ugandan law.
Article 15(7) of the 1995 Constitution empowers Parliament to prescribe offices that cannot be occupied by individuals who are citizens of another country. The Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Act classifies Cabinet and ministerial positions among the restricted offices whose holders must owe sole allegiance to Uganda.
The matter gained prominence during the vetting of President Museveni’s Cabinet nominees for the 2026–2031 term. Among those affected was Dr. Lawrence Muganga, who had been nominated as State Minister for Internal Affairs but was rejected by Parliament’s Appointments Committee after failing to provide satisfactory evidence that he had renounced his Canadian and Rwandan citizenship.
Other nominees whose appointments were affected by citizenship-related concerns included Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, who had been nominated as Minister of Foreign Affairs; Calvin Echodu, nominated as State Minister for International Affairs; and Shartsi Kutesa Musherure, nominated as State Minister for Finance in charge of Microfinance.
Kasolo’s appointment is expected to ensure continuity in Uganda’s diplomatic engagements and the operations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as government considers a substantive appointment.
The appointment letter was copied to Vice President Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, the Head of Public Service, and the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Reacting to his appointment, Kasolo expressed gratitude to President Museveni for the confidence placed in him.
“I am profoundly honoured by the trust and confidence reposed in me by H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni through my appointment as Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs. I extend my sincere gratitude to His Excellency for this opportunity to serve our nation in this capacity,” Kasolo said in a statement posted on his X account.
He pledged to advance Uganda’s foreign policy objectives, strengthen diplomatic engagements, and serve the country with integrity and professionalism.
“I remain committed to upholding Uganda’s foreign policy objectives, advancing our diplomatic engagements, and serving with integrity, professionalism and unwavering dedication in the pursuit of our national interests,” he added.
