Parliament’s Appointments Committee has approved the appointment of Hon. Juma Witonze as the new State Minister for Internal Affairs, paving the way for him to formally assume office.
The vetting was conducted by the Appointments Committee chaired by the Speaker of Parliament, alongside the Deputy Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition and other committee members.
Speaking shortly after the approval, Witonze expressed gratitude to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for entrusting him with the ministerial position and pledged to serve all Ugandans diligently.
“There is a lot waiting and a hard task ahead, but I promise I will be a minister for all Ugandans. I am grateful to President Museveni for giving me this opportunity, and I will not let him down,” Witonze said.
The incoming minister said his immediate priority would be to familiarize himself with the work of the ministry before setting out his agenda.
“I will begin by reviewing the ministry’s files to understand the ongoing work before determining my priorities,” he said, adding that he is committed to supporting government efforts to strengthen national security and ensure the effective delivery of the ministry’s mandate.
Witonze takes over the position after Parliament’s Appointments Committee rejected the nomination of Dr. Lawrence Muganga as State Minister for Internal Affairs over concerns regarding his multiple citizenship. Although Muganga reportedly renounced his Rwandan citizenship, his nomination did not proceed, and he was subsequently replaced in the latest Cabinet appointments.
Before his appointment to Cabinet, Witonze unsuccessfully contested for a seat in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
His approval by the Appointments Committee now clears the final hurdle before he is sworn in and begins serving as State Minister for Internal Affairs.
