Museveni Appoints Acting Education Minister After Giving Update on Janet Museveni’s Health Condition

KAMPALA, Uganda — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed State Minister for Higher Education John Chrysostom Muyingo as the Acting Minister of Education and Sports, filling a temporary leadership gap at the ministry following the absence of First Lady and Education Minister Janet Kataaha Museveni.

The appointment was announced in a State House press release issued on Thursday, June 25, 2026, a day after President Museveni publicly addressed concerns about his wife’s health.

According to the Presidential Press Unit, the appointment was made under the President’s constitutional powers.

“In exercise of the powers vested in the President under Article 99(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed Hon. John Chrysostom Muyingo as the Acting Minister of Education and Sports in the absence of a substantive Minister,” the statement reads.

“The appointment takes immediate effect.”

The announcement comes months after speculation about the health of Janet Museveni, who has served as Minister of Education and Sports since 2016 while simultaneously carrying out her role as First Lady.

The appointment of Muyingo is expected to ensure continuity in the management of Uganda’s education sector as the First Lady takes time away from official duties.

Muyingo is no stranger to the ministry. He has served as State Minister for Higher Education since 2016 and has been involved in overseeing university education, technical training institutions and higher learning policy implementation.

Before joining the Cabinet, Muyingo built a reputation in Uganda’s education sector as an academic and administrator.

He previously represented Bamunanika County in Parliament.

The decision reflects the government’s desire to maintain stability at a ministry that is currently implementing several major reforms, including curriculum changes, expansion of technical and vocational education, and efforts to improve learning outcomes across the country.

The Ministry of Education and Sports is also overseeing preparations for national examinations, school inspections, and the continued implementation of the competence-based curriculum at lower secondary level.

Janet Museveni has been one of the longest-serving education ministers in recent Ugandan history. During her tenure, the ministry has overseen reforms in curriculum development, teacher training, school infrastructure and the expansion of vocational education.

Her temporary absence and the appointment of an acting minister are likely to reassure stakeholders in the education sector that ministry operations will continue uninterrupted.

The brief State House statement did not indicate how long Muyingo would serve in the acting capacity, but noted that his appointment takes effect immediately.

For now, the veteran education administrator will take charge of the ministry’s day-to-day operations as Janet Museveni continues her recovery.

Questions had lingered over Mrs. Museveni’s condition after she missed President Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony following the disputed January 2026 presidential election. Her absence from one of the most important events in Uganda’s political calendar sparked widespread discussion across social media and political circles, particularly because she has long been one of the most visible figures in government and at state events.

For the swearing-in ceremony, Museveni was accompanied by Natasha. Read more interesting facts about Museveni’s favorite child Natasha Here and There.

The concerns deepened when she was also absent during key stages of the vetting process for cabinet appointments and subsequent government functions.

Museveni has said that Satan attacked Janet, as he gave an update on her health condition Here.

You can also read about the ‘miracle’ love story of how Museveni met Janet Here.

It should be remembered that Museveni and his wife survived an accident months ago, as reported Here.

Janet Museveni has also said that speaking of Uganda’s transition for brings tears to her eyes, even as she and her husband apologized to Buganda. (See Details Here and There).

Museveni has also Appointed an Acting Foreign Affairs Minister after Adonia Ayebare’s appointment was blocked, as reported Here and There.