The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance on 10th June 2026 officially welcomed its new political leadership during a handover ceremony held at the Ministry Headquarters in Kampala, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the Ministry and the wider ICT sector.

The handover followed the recent appointment, swearing-in, and taking of the Oath of Office by the new Ministers. The occasion formally welcomed the incoming Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Rt. Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba, and the Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance (National Guidance), Hon. Alioni Yorke Odria, while recognizing the continued service of the Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo.

Present were the Ministry's top management, heads of agencies, board chairpersons, chief executive officers, executive directors, and staff from institutions under the ICT sector, including the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT), Uganda Telecommunications Corporation Limited (UTEL), New Vision Printing and Publishing Company Limited, Posta Uganda, Uganda Media Centre, the National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U), Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO – UG) and the Uganda Media Council.

Welcoming the Ministers, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, paid tribute to the outgoing leadership for its stewardship and support to the sector. She highlighted the Ministry's unique role in providing leadership for government communication, national guidance, and the country's ICT agenda, and assured the incoming Ministers of the full support of the Ministry's technical team and agencies.

Dr. Zawedde also recognized the contribution of Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi and Hon. Godfrey Baluku Kabbyanga, whose leadership guided the Ministry through several key initiatives and programmes. She further welcomed Rt. Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba and Hon. Alioni Yorke Odria, noting that the Ministry stands ready to work closely with them to deliver on Government priorities and serve the people of Uganda.

In his farewell remarks, Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi congratulated the incoming Ministers upon their appointment and welcomed them to the Ministry. He commended the teamwork among the political leadership, Ministry staff, boards, and agencies throughout his tenure.

He described the Ministry as one of the most professionally managed institutions in Government, noting that it is supported by highly experienced officers and a knowledgeable Permanent Secretary who would provide the guidance and support necessary for the incoming Ministers to succeed.

Dr. Baryomunsi thanked the Permanent Secretary, Ministry staff, and sector agencies for their dedication, professionalism, and technical support, which he said enabled him to effectively execute his responsibilities and gain a deeper appreciation of the ICT sector.

"The Ministry has a highly capable technical team and experienced leadership that will support the incoming Ministers to deliver effectively. I am happy to hand over to Rt. Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba and I remain available to support the Ministry whenever called upon. We shall continue working together for the development of our country," he said.

Reflecting on his time at the Ministry, Dr. Baryomunsi noted that his experience in the ICT sector had transformed him into a strong advocate for leveraging technology to improve service delivery across Government.

He added that even as he takes on new responsibilities in the health sector, he would continue to champion the adoption of ICTs, Artificial Intelligence, and other emerging technologies to improve healthcare service delivery and access to quality healthcare.

Outgoing Minister of State for National Guidance, Hon. Godfrey Baluku Kabbyanga, expressed gratitude to H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for the opportunity to serve Uganda and thanked the Ministry staff for their support during his tenure.

"Serving my country has been a great honour and privilege. I remain committed to contributing to Uganda's development whenever called upon to serve," he said.

Hon. Kabbyanga welcomed Hon. Alioni Yorke Odria to the Ministry and assured him that the National Guidance Department is staffed with capable, dedicated professionals who would support him in carrying out his responsibilities.

Hon. Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo expressed appreciation to H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for the confidence and trust placed in her through her reappointment as Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance. She welcomed the incoming ministers, thanked the outgoing Ministers for their leadership and collaboration, and pledged to continue working to improve access to internet services, expand digital opportunities, and ensure that government services remain accessible to citizens.

Speaking for the first time in his new role, Hon. Alioni Yorke Odria thanked the President for the trust and confidence placed in him and pledged to serve diligently and effectively.

He expressed his commitment to strengthening national guidance and citizen engagement and challenged the Ministry's technical teams to develop innovative solutions to support transparency and accountability in public service.

Hon. Odria specifically called for the development of a system to track, manage, and combat corruption. "If technology can transform service delivery, then it can also help us fight corruption. We should harness innovation to strengthen accountability and improve public trust in government institutions," he said.

Delivering her maiden remarks as Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Rt. Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in her and pledged to build upon the achievements registered by the Ministry and its agencies.

She emphasized the importance of ensuring that citizens are aware of and benefit from government programmes and services, noting that effective communication and citizen engagement remain critical to national development.

Rt. Hon. Lumumba called upon Ministry staff and agencies to remain committed, innovative, and focused on delivering results for Ugandans. She further stressed the need to strengthen communication and feedback mechanisms between the government and citizens while leveraging technology to improve service delivery and accountability.

"We are here to work together, find solutions to challenges, and ensure that our people benefit from the work we do. I look forward to working with all of you as we continue serving Uganda," she said.

As part of the transition process, the outgoing ministers handed over key Ministry documents, including the Ministerial Policy Statement for FY 2026/2027, the Ministry Client Charter, Service Delivery Standards, and comprehensive reports detailing the Ministry's achievements and ongoing programmes.

The outgoing Ministers were also presented with commemorative plaques and gifts in recognition of their distinguished service, leadership, and contribution to the growth of the Ministry and the ICT sector.

The event concluded with a renewed commitment from both the political and technical leadership to work together to advance the Ministry's mandate and ensure effective service delivery to the people of Uganda.