President Museveni has appointed Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo as Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, temporarily placing him in charge of one of Uganda’s most strategic government portfolios.
The appointment was contained in a letter dated June 22, 2026, issued from State House, Kampala, and takes immediate effect.
According to the letter, Museveni exercised his constitutional powers under Article 99(1) of the Constitution, which grants the President executive authority to appoint ministers, assign responsibilities, and make interim leadership arrangements within Cabinet.
“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 of Foreign Affairs,” the letter reads in part.
Kasolo, who only a fortnight ago took office as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of regional affairs, will now assume full administrative and political oversight of the ministry until either the return or appointment of a substantive minister.
The communication, referenced PO/11, was also copied to key government offices including the Vice President, the Prime Minister, the Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, and the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The appointment effectively elevates Kasolo’s responsibilities from a supporting ministerial role to full stewardship of Uganda’s foreign policy machinery, including diplomatic missions, bilateral and multilateral engagements, and coordination of international partnerships.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a central pillar of Uganda’s external relations architecture, overseeing the country’s diplomatic presence abroad, regional integration efforts within the East African Community, and participation in continental and global forums such as the African Union and the United Nations system.
It also plays a key role in trade diplomacy, labour externalisation frameworks, and consular services for Ugandans in the diaspora.
Kasolo’s interim leadership comes at a time when Uganda continues to expand its regional diplomatic engagements, particularly around trade, security cooperation, and infrastructure partnerships with neighbouring states.
While the letter did not specify the duration of the acting appointment, such arrangements are typically used when a substantive minister is temporarily unavailable due to travel, reassignment, or other official duties.
Article 99(1) of the Constitution remains the legal basis for such executive decisions, giving the President discretion over ministerial appointments and portfolio allocations within government.
Kasolo is now expected to coordinate the ministry’s day-to-day operations, chair internal policy meetings, and represent Uganda in high-level diplomatic engagements where necessary, pending further direction from the appointing authority.
The development adds a temporary shift in the country’s foreign policy leadership structure, although government operations within the ministry are expected to continue without disruption.
