President Museveni Drops Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige in Major Public Service Reshuffle

President Yoweri Museveni has initiated a major administrative overhaul, dropping Adolf Mwesige as the Clerk to Parliament. To succeed Mwesige, the president has nominated Edward Sengonzi Damulira, who has been serving as the under secretary at the ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The changes were officially announced on Sunday, November 8, 2026.

Mwesige’s departure coincides with a critical transition period as Parliament moves from the turbulent 11th Parliament into the 12th. His five-year tenure at the administrative helm faced heavy scrutiny following a series of investigations, financial irregularities, and public accountability campaigns. These controversies included the high-profile March 2024 Parliament Exhibition, questions surrounding parliamentary commissioner service awards, and subsequent anti-corruption protests.

Additional reports from the Inspectorate of Government further implicated parliamentary leadership in irregular hiring practices, noting that numerous staff members were recruited without public advertisement between 2021 and 2026. Prior to his role as clerk, Mwesige was a cabinet minister and Member of Parliament for Bunyangabu County.

Alongside the parliamentary shakeup, Museveni announced nominations for permanent secretary positions across various ministries and agencies. Notable changes include Prof Stephen Akandwanaho replacing Dr Aminah Zawedde at the ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Edith Butuuro stepping in for Rosette Byengoma at Defence and Veteran Affairs, and Charles Ssentongo taking over at Foreign Affairs.

Other ministries experiencing leadership transitions include the Office of the Prime Minister, Water and Environment, Agriculture, Public Service, Works and Transport, and East African Community Affairs. Museveni made the nominations utilizing powers granted under Article 174(2) of the 1995 Constitution, directing the Public Service Commission to evaluate the nominees prior to final appointments.

Read more about the reshuffle on The Observer.