NOT INVITED! Dr Lawrence Muganga and Three Others Won’t Be Sworn In as Ministers at State House Ceremony Until Citizenship Issues Are Resolved – Sources

A cloud of uncertainty has emerged over the swearing-in of four ministerial nominees after questions surrounding their citizenship status reportedly forced government to put their inauguration on hold.

While a number of newly appointed ministers are expected to take their oaths before President Yoweri Museveni at State House Entebbe on Monday, June 8, four nominees are understood to have been left off the guest list as legal scrutiny of their citizenship documentation continues.

The affected officials are Dr. Lawrence Muganga, who was nominated as State Minister for Internal Affairs, Foreign Affairs Minister-designate Adonia Ayebare, State Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs) Calvin Echodu, and State Minister-designate for Microfinance Shartsi Musherure Kutesa.

According to sources familiar with the matter, invitations for Monday’s ceremony were issued to nominees whose appointments have cleared all legal requirements. The four, however, are reportedly still awaiting clearance over questions related to the renunciation of foreign citizenships.

The development follows concerns raised during Parliament’s vetting exercise, where issues regarding dual and multiple citizenships among some nominees came under scrutiny.

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa previously disclosed that checks conducted in conjunction with the Ministry of Internal Affairs had identified citizenship concerns involving four ministerial nominees. Three were found to hold dual citizenship, while another was linked to multiple citizenships.

Although the Appointments Committee considered evidence showing that some of the affected individuals had begun the process of renouncing their foreign citizenships, uncertainty remains over whether those steps alone satisfy Uganda’s legal requirements for appointment to ministerial office.

Government lawyers are now examining the matter and advising on whether the process of renunciation must be fully completed before an individual can be sworn in as a minister.

Officials reportedly cautioned that administering the oath of office before the citizenship questions are conclusively settled could create legal complications in the future.

At the centre of the debate is the distinction between initiating a citizenship renunciation process and obtaining official confirmation that the renunciation has been accepted by the relevant foreign government.

Sources indicate that some of the nominees have already submitted the necessary paperwork to foreign authorities. However, the processing of such applications can take several weeks, leaving uncertainty about when final confirmation will be received.

Among the four nominees, Dr. Lawrence Muganga’s case is said to have attracted particular attention.

Sources claim concerns raised about his citizenship status affected consideration of his nomination during the parliamentary approval process, prompting further consultations within government.

The matter has reportedly since been referred to President Museveni, who retains the final authority over ministerial appointments.

Unless the ongoing legal review is concluded before Monday’s inauguration ceremony, the four nominees may have to wait before formally assuming office.

That scenario could produce an unusual situation in which part of the Cabinet is sworn in immediately while a separate group remains in limbo pending legal clearance and completion of citizenship procedures.

The outcome is expected to have implications beyond the current appointments, potentially shaping how future nominees with histories of dual or multiple citizenship are assessed under Uganda’s citizenship laws.

For now, attention remains focused on whether the four nominees can secure the necessary clearance in time or whether their entry into Cabinet will be delayed until the citizenship questions are fully resolved.

It should be remembered that Lawrence Muganga has accused Thomas Tayebwa of failing him on tribal grounds. He has even gone to his mother’s grave to seek her spiritual intervention. (See Details Here and There).

Meanwhile, Banyarwanda community leader Frank Gashumba has warned that Uganda should prepare for M23 if Banyarwanda issues are not solved, even as he said that Banyarwanda would have to go with their land if they are forced to return to Rwanda. (See Details Here and There).

See Museveni’s full cabinet list that will be sworn in tomorrow HERE.