ENTEBBE, Uganda — Ambassador Adonia Ayebare has finally been sworn in as Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, nearly two months after his appointment was announced and his initial oath-taking was delayed over questions surrounding his citizenship status.
Ayebare took the oath on Tuesday at State House Entebbe during a ceremony presided over by President Yoweri Museveni. He was sworn in alongside Shartsi Kutesa Musherure, Minister of State for Finance in charge of Microfinance, and Juma Witonze, Minister of State for Internal Affairs.
Ayebare was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in Museveni’s new Cabinet announced on May 26, 2026, replacing former Foreign Affairs Minister Gen. Jeje Odongo. The appointment was officially listed among the new Cabinet appointments released by the Presidency.
However, when the new Cabinet was sworn in at State House Entebbe on June 8, Ayebare was among nominees who did not take the oath after questions emerged concerning their citizenship.
The citizenship issue centred on Uganda’s restrictions on dual citizens holding certain specified public offices. As a result, although Ayebare had been appointed and cleared through the parliamentary process, he could not immediately assume the Foreign Affairs portfolio.
The delay prompted President Museveni to appoint Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, then Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Cooperation, as Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs on June 22. Museveni invoked Article 99(1) of the Constitution in making the temporary appointment.
The situation created an unusual arrangement in which Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Ministry operated under an acting political head while Ayebare remained the President’s designated substantive minister.
Reports later indicated that Ayebare began the process of renouncing his United States citizenship, paving the way for the citizenship concerns to be resolved and allowing him to proceed with the oath of office.
The delay was eventually cleared, with Ayebare and Musherure among those whose cases were resolved ahead of Tuesday’s ceremony.
Experienced diplomat takes charge
Ayebare brings extensive diplomatic and international experience to the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Before his appointment to Cabinet, he served as Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, a position he took up in 2017. Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has previously highlighted his work at the UN, including his involvement in negotiations and initiatives concerning Africa’s position in global governance.
His diplomatic career also includes work on the Burundi peace process, Uganda’s diplomatic missions in Rwanda and Burundi and senior assignments at Uganda’s Mission to the United Nations in New York.
Before moving into diplomacy, Ayebare worked as a journalist and later in international affairs, giving him a background spanning journalism, diplomacy, peace and security.
His academic background includes studies at Makerere University, Long Island University and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, as well as doctoral studies in the United States.
During the swearing-in ceremony, President Museveni congratulated the new ministers and urged them to focus on tackling corruption and inefficiency in Government through effective supervision and accountability.
Museveni also addressed the issue of dual citizenship, saying that while the arrangement had been introduced partly in response to Uganda’s difficult history, individuals holding public office must be clear about where their loyalty lies.
He further argued that the East African Federation remains a long-term solution to questions surrounding identity and regional integration.
For Ayebare, the oath marks the formal end of a prolonged transition and the beginning of his tenure at a ministry responsible for managing Uganda’s bilateral and multilateral relations.
His appointment places a career diplomat with extensive United Nations and regional peace-building experience at the centre of Uganda’s foreign policy at a time when the country continues to navigate regional security, East African integration, African diplomacy and its relations with global partners.
The delayed swearing-in also highlights the distinction between being appointed to Cabinet and being legally cleared to exercise the powers of a minister.
For almost two months, Ayebare remained President Museveni’s designated Foreign Affairs Minister without being able to formally take office.
Ayebare is now expected to take forward Uganda’s diplomatic agenda, including strengthening bilateral relations, advancing the country’s interests at regional and international forums, and contributing to efforts aimed at regional peace, security and integration. His extensive experience in diplomacy and international affairs is expected to shape his approach as he takes charge of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
