The Appointments Committee of Parliament has rejected the proposed appointment of Prof. Lawrence Muganga as State Minister for Internal Affairs, casting uncertainty over what had been expected to be a landmark transition from academia to government leadership.
According to multiple sources familiar with the vetting process, committee members declined to approve Muganga’s appointment due to concerns surrounding his Canadian citizenship status.
Sources indicate that during the vetting exercise, Muganga informed the committee that he was willing to renounce his Canadian citizenship. However, members reportedly remained unconvinced that the necessary legal requirements had been sufficiently fulfilled to allow him to hold the ministerial office.
The development comes just days after President Yoweri Museveni named Muganga among the proposed members of the new Cabinet for the 2026–2031 term. The renowned educationist had been nominated to serve as Minister of State for Internal Affairs under Cabinet Minister Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu.
“Before I came here, I definitely had two citizenships—that’s the Ugandan citizenship and the Canadian citizenship. Like every young person who really aspires to do better, you leave this country and you go to different countries, trying to work there, and you get some money, you help your people you left back home. You help your brothers, your sisters, your parents, and even the friends. So, that is me…. many Ugandans do that. And as I speak right now, there are some who are at the airport leaving the country. Before you know, they will have citizenships of other countries. But that does not take away one’s love for the country. I am Ugandan…Uganda is my country” Prof Muganga told journalists.
Muganga’s proposed appointment had generated significant public interest, given his prominence in Uganda’s education sector and his tenure as Vice Chancellor of Victoria University Uganda. Under his leadership, the institution gained recognition for pioneering work-integrated learning approaches, embracing artificial intelligence and immersive technologies in teaching, and promoting competency-based education.
The academic leader has also built a strong national profile through his advocacy for education reform and youth empowerment, with his books and public engagements contributing to discussions on Uganda’s future workforce and development agenda.
The Appointments Committee’s decision highlights the constitutional and legal scrutiny applied to public office holders, particularly regarding citizenship qualifications for senior government positions. While details of the committee’s deliberations have not been officially released, the rejection is understood to have been based primarily on concerns about dual citizenship and compliance with legal requirements governing ministerial appointments.
Neither Muganga nor government officials had publicly commented on the committee’s decision by press time.
The rejection now leaves the position of State Minister for Internal Affairs in question, with attention turning to the next steps available to the President and Parliament regarding the appointment.
