From Chemistry Teacher to Education Chief: The Rise of Kedrace Turyagyenda

What the report says

Dr Kedrace Rwankore Turyagyenda has retained her role as Permanent Secretary of Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports after President Yoweri Museveni’s latest public service changes, announced on November 9, 2026, according to Nile Post. The ministry’s top civil servant oversees administration for a large portfolio that includes education policy, schools, universities, teachers and national examinations.

Nile Post traced Turyagyenda’s path from classroom teacher to senior administrator. She began teaching Chemistry and Mathematics after training at Makerere University, later served as a headmistress at Kinyansano Girls High School in Rukungiri District, and spent 16 years at Kabale National Teachers’ College in teaching and departmental leadership roles. She then moved into central government as Commissioner for Secondary Education Standards in 2004, later becoming Director of Education Standards.

Her career also included work on broader policy: in 2021, she was appointed to the Education Policy Review Commission chaired by Amanya Mushega. Although she retired from public service in 2022, Museveni appointed her Permanent Secretary in September 2024, replacing Ketty Lamaro. The article also notes that Turyagyenda was named chairperson of the Governing Board of the African Institute for Capacity Development in 2025. Her continued retention underscores her longstanding role in Uganda’s education administration and policy system.