Museveni Drops Mwesige as Clerk to Parliament in Major Reshuffle

President Yoweri Museveni has made significant changes in the government, dropping Adolf Mwesige as Clerk to Parliament. Mwesige's replacement is Edward Sengonzi Damulira, currently the under secretary at the ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. This change was announced on Sunday, November 8, 2026, as part of a broader reshuffle that includes the appointment of permanent secretaries for several key ministries and agencies.

The reshuffle comes at a time when Parliament is transitioning from the 11th to the 12th Parliament. This transition follows investigations involving former speaker Anita Annet Among and allegations of administrative and financial irregularities during her tenure. Mwesige's five-year term as Clerk to Parliament was marked by several controversies, including probes into the institution's leadership and allegations of financial misconduct.

One of the defining controversies of the 11th Parliament was the March 2024 Parliament Exhibition, an online accountability campaign that exposed questionable expenditure. This included a controversial Shs 1.7 billion service award to parliamentary commissioners, as well as spending on donations, foreign trips, and other activities. The revelations triggered public outrage and anti-corruption protests, including the July 2024 March to Parliament.

The scrutiny on Parliament has continued, with the Inspectorate of Government charging seven Parliament officials with embezzlement, causing financial loss, and money laundering involving billions of shillings in July 2026. An August 2026 Inspectorate report also faulted the previous parliamentary leadership for suspending the Human Resource Policy Manual and recruiting staff without advertising vacancies.

Other changes in the reshuffle include Prof Stephen Akandwanaho replacing Dr Aminah Zawedde as the minister of ICT and National Guidance. Akandwanaho is a computer scientist and academic with expertise in information technology and artificial intelligence. Edith Butuuro has been nominated to replace Rosette Byengoma as the minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs.

The nominations also include Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga as the new head of the Office of the Prime Minister, replacing Alex Kakooza, and Kenneth Akiri as the new minister of Water and Environment, replacing Alfred Okot Okidi. Other nominees include Barbara Namugambe as the minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, and Charles Ssentongo as the minister of Foreign Affairs.

President Museveni directed the Public Service Commission to assess the suitability of the nominees and advise him before the appointments are finalised. He cited Article 174(2) of the 1995 Constitution as the basis for his nominations. The changes are expected to bring new leadership and direction to the various ministries and agencies.

Key points

• President Museveni has nominated Edward Sengonzi Damulira to replace Adolf Mwesige as Clerk to Parliament.
• The reshuffle involves the appointment of permanent secretaries for several key ministries and agencies.
• The changes come amid ongoing scrutiny of Parliament and allegations of administrative and financial irregularities.