In a surprising twist of events, President Yoweri Museveni has appointed the Minister of state for regional cooperation at the Foreign Affairs Ministry Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, as the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs.
According to sources, kyeyune’s appointment to the office, is meant to fill a leadership vacuum created after the Minister designate Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, failed to swear in to office recently due to issues with his dual citizenship.
In a letter dated June 22nd, President Museveni appointed Hon Kasolo, in exercise of the powers vested in the President by Article 99(1) of the Constitution.
“In exercise of the powers vested in the President by Article 99(1) of the Constitution, I hereby appoint you as acting Minister of Foreign Affairs in the absence of a substantive Minister. Museveni Yoweri K. Museveni PRESIDENT”
Adonia’s failure to swear in.
According to an official citizenship verification report from the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, is listed as holding both Ugandan and United States citizenship.
While Uganda permits dual citizenship, Article 15(7) of the Constitution empowers Parliament to restrict holders of dual nationality from occupying certain public offices.
The Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control (Amendment) Act of 2009 lists several sensitive state positions that dual citizens may not hold, with the Fifth Schedule to the Act explicitly citing the offices of “Cabinet Minister and other Ministers”.
