President Yoweri Museveni has appointed State Minister for Regional Cooperation, Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, as the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, temporarily filling a vacancy created after the government’s proposed leadership team for the ministry ran into legal and parliamentary hurdles.
The appointment was communicated in a presidential letter dated June 22, 2026, in which Museveni invoked his constitutional powers under Article 99(1) of the Constitution to designate Kasolo to oversee the ministry pending the appointment and approval of a substantive minister.
“In exercise of the powers vested in the President under Article 99(1) of the Constitution, I hereby appoint you as Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs in the absence of a substantive minister,” the President wrote.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is among several government dockets currently without substantive political leadership following Parliament’s vetting process for President Museveni’s newly appointed Cabinet for the 2026–2031 term.
The position had initially been earmarked for veteran diplomat Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, Uganda’s former permanent representative to the United Nations, who was nominated as minister of foreign affairs in the new cabinet. However, concerns regarding dual citizenship among some nominees led to delays in parliamentary approval.
According to reports from Parliament’s Appointments Committee, questions surrounding citizenship status affected several ministerial nominees, including Ayebare; Calvin Echodu, who had been nominated as State Minister for International Affairs; and other proposed Cabinet members. Ugandan law bars holders of certain public offices, including ministers, from possessing dual citizenship.
As a result, the Foreign Affairs docket has remained without a substantive minister, prompting the president to appoint Kasolo in an acting capacity to ensure continuity in government operations and Uganda’s diplomatic engagements.
Kasolo is no stranger to the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Earlier this month, he officially assumed office as state minister for foreign affairs in charge of regional cooperation, replacing John Mulimba following cabinet changes announced by President Museveni.
During his handover ceremony at the ministry headquarters in Kampala, Kasolo pledged to strengthen regional integration, promote Uganda’s economic diplomacy agenda, and expand market opportunities for Ugandan products across the East African Community and other regional blocs.
His appointment as acting minister places him at the center of Uganda’s diplomatic operations at a time when the country is pursuing deeper regional cooperation, trade integration, and international partnerships.
Before the recent Cabinet reshuffle, the Foreign Affairs Ministry was headed by Jeje Odongo, who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the previous administration. The ministry’s leadership structure also included state ministers responsible for international cooperation and regional cooperation.
The ministry remains one of Uganda’s most strategic government institutions, overseeing diplomatic relations, international trade engagements, regional integration efforts, and the country’s representation in global forums.
Government officials say Kasolo’s temporary appointment is intended to ensure uninterrupted leadership as Uganda continues to engage regional partners on trade, security cooperation, cross-border infrastructure development, and ongoing diplomatic initiatives.
Copies of the presidential appointment letter were sent to Vice President Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, the Head of Public Service, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
For now, Kasolo assumes responsibility for steering Uganda’s foreign policy agenda while the government resolves the outstanding issues surrounding the appointment of a substantive minister of foreign affairs.
