By Spy Uganda
President Yoweri Museveni has appointed State Minister for Higher Education John Chrysostom Muyingo as Acting Minister of Education and Sports, a move aimed at ensuring continuity in one of government’s most critical ministries as First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni continues her recovery from a serious illness.
The appointment, announced on Thursday, comes just a day after President Museveni publicly disclosed that the First Lady had been critically ill since March, explaining her prolonged absence from public engagements and official government duties.
According to a statement from the Presidency, Muyingo’s appointment takes immediate effect.
“In exercise of the powers vested in the President under Article 99(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed Hon. John Chrysostom Muyingo as the Acting Minister of Education and Sports in the absence of a substantive Minister,” the statement said.
The development marks the clearest indication yet that government is taking steps to address leadership gaps created by the First Lady’s absence from active service.
Although Mrs Museveni was reappointed Minister of Education and Sports during the recent Cabinet reshuffle, she has not resumed official duties. She was notably absent from the vetting process before Parliament’s Appointments Committee and did not participate in the swearing-in ceremony for newly appointed ministers.
Her absence had sparked widespread speculation until President Museveni broke his silence on Wednesday while paying tribute to her on her 78th birthday.
In an emotional message, the President revealed that the First Lady had battled a serious illness that left her critically ill in March.
“She became critically ill in March but, by the grace of God, overcame it,” President Museveni said.
While the President did not disclose the nature of the illness, his remarks offered the first official explanation for Mrs Museveni’s disappearance from public view over the past several months.
The First Lady has served as Minister of Education and Sports since 2016 and has played a central role in overseeing education reforms, sports development, and government policy implementation in the sector.
With schools, universities and sports institutions preparing for key policy decisions and administrative programs, Muyingo’s appointment is expected to provide stability and continuity while Mrs Museveni continues her recovery.
A seasoned education administrator, Muyingo is no stranger to the sector. He has served as State Minister for Higher Education for several years and is widely credited for his involvement in higher education policy development and management.
His temporary elevation places him in charge of a ministry that oversees millions of learners, thousands of educational institutions, and a significant share of government service delivery.
The appointment also reflects broader efforts by President Museveni to keep government operations running smoothly amid delays in filling some Cabinet positions.
On the same day, the President appointed State Minister for Microfinance Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune to act as Minister of Foreign Affairs following the failure of Parliament to approve nominees for the ministry during the recent vetting process.
For many Ugandans, however, attention remains focused on the health of the First Lady, whose recovery has become a matter of national interest.
As government moves to maintain stability within the Education Ministry, officials and supporters alike will be hoping for Janet Museveni’s full recovery and eventual return to public service.
