Former Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba called on President Yoweri Museveni to appoint his daughter, Natasha Museveni Karugire, as Uganda’s next Minister of Education and Sports.
Baryamureeba made the proposal while arguing that First Lady Janet Museveni, who has headed the ministry since 2016, should step aside and focus on her recovery from a recent illness.
In a social media post, the professor said the time had come for a transition from Janet to Natasha at the Ministry of Education and Sports.
“Now is the time for transition from Mama Janet to Natasha at the Ministry of Education and Sports,” Baryamureeba wrote.
He added that although Ugandans have been praying for the First Lady’s recovery, she should prioritise her health and avoid the demands associated with running the ministry.
According to Baryamureeba, Natasha is well positioned to take over because of her experience accompanying President Museveni during campaign activities and her understanding of Uganda’s education sector.
Natasha currently serves as the President’s Private Secretary for Household Affairs.
Baryamureeba argued that she could be mentored by both of her parents while using her position and experience to lobby for increased funding for education.
He described the proposed transition as potentially providing seamless continuity in the education and sports sectors.
Janet Museveni has been recuperating after suffering a serious illness earlier this year.
Now is the time for transition from Mama Janet to Natasha (@Nyinancweende ) at the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES). We have been praying for the First Lady to have full recover but even as she recovers fully she should put her life first and avoid the stressful work at…
— Prof. V Baryamureeba (@baryamureeba) August 6, 2026
The proposal to replace Janet with her daughter, however, has now triggered a heated debate over how public appointments should be made.
