President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reportedly nominated Hon. Juma Witonze, a National Resistance Movement (NRM) and Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) mobiliser in the Central Region, for appointment as State Minister for Internal Affairs, subject to approval by Parliament.
The reported nomination follows the stalled appointment of the initial nominee, Dr. Lawrence Muganga, whose ministerial bid did not proceed after the parliamentary vetting process.
If approved by Parliament, Witonze will join the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which is responsible for overseeing internal security, immigration, national identification, civil registration and other key government functions.
Witonze is well known within NRM and PLU mobilisation structures, particularly in the Central Region, where he has been actively involved in grassroots mobilisation and strengthening support for the ruling movement.
Under Uganda’s Constitution, all presidential nominees for ministerial positions must be vetted and approved by Parliament before they can assume office. The Appointments Committee is expected to scrutinise Witonze’s credentials and determine whether he is suitable for the position.
Until the parliamentary approval process is completed, Witonze cannot officially assume the office of State Minister for Internal Affairs.
The reported nomination is expected to attract interest within political and security circles, given the ministry’s central role in coordinating internal security, citizenship, immigration and national identification matters.
If confirmed, Witonze will be expected to support the implementation of government policies and programmes under the Ministry of Internal Affairs while contributing to the country’s internal administration and security agenda.
More details are expected as the government formally communicates the nomination and Parliament schedules the vetting process.
