Baryamureeba Urges Museveni to Appoint Daughter Natasha as Education Minister

What the report says

Former Makerere University vice chancellor Venacius Baryamureeba has publicly urged President Yoweri Museveni to appoint Natasha Museveni Karugire, his daughter, as minister of education and sports. In a post on X, Baryamureeba argued that Natasha could help maintain continuity at the ministry while First Lady Janet Museveni continues recovering from illness and remains away from public duties.

According to Nile Post, Baryamureeba said the education docket needs a smooth handover from Janet Museveni to Natasha. He suggested that the First Lady should focus on her health after being absent from public engagements since March. Janet Museveni has served as education minister since 2016, but the article says she has not yet returned to public life, and State Minister for Higher Education John Chrysestom Muyingo is currently acting in the portfolio.

Baryamureeba said Natasha’s experience around the president and in campaign settings gives her exposure to the needs of communities and the education and sports sectors. He also argued that she would be well placed to work with the president, the First Lady and other stakeholders, and to help mobilize funding for the ministry. The article notes that Natasha has not said publicly whether she wants the job, and there is no indication State House is considering such an appointment.

The suggestion comes amid broader political discussion about succession and influence within Uganda’s ruling circle. More generally, cabinet appointments are made by the president and typically require parliamentary vetting, so any change at the ministry would depend on formal government action.