President Yoweri Museveni on Tuesday presided over the swearing-in of three ministers at State House Entebbe, formally bringing Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, Shartsi Kutesa Musherure and Juma Witonze into their respective government positions.

Ayebare took the oath as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Musherure was sworn in as State Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development in charge of Microfinance, while Witonze assumed office as State Minister for Internal Affairs.

Following the ceremony, President Museveni congratulated the three ministers and urged them to focus on eliminating corruption and inefficiency in government through proper supervision and accountability.

Ayebare, who is taking charge of Uganda's diplomatic affairs, thanked Museveni for entrusting him with the Foreign Affairs docket. In a message after taking the oath, he said he looked forward to pursuing diplomacy that delivers results for the Ugandan people.

Witonze's assumption of office is particularly notable because he takes over the Internal Affairs State Minister position after the earlier nomination of Dr Lawrence Muganga was not approved during parliamentary vetting.

Muganga's nomination became the subject of questions over his citizenship status. He disputed allegations that he held Rwandan citizenship while acknowledging Ugandan and Canadian citizenship. Following Witonze's swearing-in, Muganga did not publicly challenge the appointment. Instead, he congratulated Witonze and wished him a prosperous and enjoyable tour of duty, referring to him as his brother.

Musherure, meanwhile, takes responsibility for the Microfinance docket under the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. Her role places her at the centre of the government's efforts in the microfinance sector, an area closely linked to access to financial services and economic opportunities.

The swearing-in ceremony also provided Museveni with an opportunity to address Uganda's dual-citizenship policy. The President said the arrangement was introduced to address Uganda's difficult history but stressed that people with dual citizenship must be clear about where their loyalty lies.

Museveni further said the East African Federation remains the long-term solution to questions of identity and integration in the region, linking the citizenship debate to the wider regional integration agenda.

The President's remarks come at a time when citizenship requirements for holders of senior government offices have attracted renewed attention, particularly following the questions raised during the vetting of ministerial nominees.

With the ceremony complete, Ayebare, Musherure and Witonze can now formally begin their respective assignments. Ayebare will lead Uganda's diplomatic engagements as Foreign Affairs Minister, Musherure will oversee the Microfinance docket under the Finance Ministry, while Witonze will serve in the Internal Affairs Ministry.

Their swearing-in marks another step in the formation of Museveni's new administration, with the President placing emphasis on accountability, effective supervision, the fight against corruption and improved government efficiency.

For Muganga, meanwhile, the development closes the immediate chapter surrounding the Internal Affairs State Minister position, with his replacement now formally sworn into office. His public reaction to Witonze's appointment has remained conciliatory, with the former nominee choosing to congratulate the new minister and wish him well in his new assignment.