Government Ministries/Departments in Uganda | Web & Contacts Directory/Listing

Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa whose diverse landscape encompasses the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains and immense Lake Victoria. Its abundant wildlife includes chimpanzees as well as rare birds. Remote Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a renowned mountain gorilla sanctuary. Murchison Falls National Park in the northwest is known for its 43m-tall waterfall and wildlife such as hippos.

The functions of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) are derived from the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, the Local Governments Act (1997) and the Public Service Reform Programme (PSRP).

The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (MODVA) is a government ministry responsible for the national defence and security of Uganda. In this capacity, its role is to preserve, defend and protect the people, property, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Uganda, contributing to regional stability and supporting international peace initiatives.

The ministry oversees the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF). This ensures that the UPDF is ultimately answerable to the people of Uganda, while it remains professional, with focus on protecting its citizens, defending national sovereignty and contributing to regional stability.

Our mandate is to steer Uganda’s regional integration agenda. MEACA’s mission is to promote Uganda’s interests in pursuit of EAC regional integration. These functions have been translated into a five year document – the Draft MEACA Strategic Plan 2009 – 14. Trade Mark East Africa (TMEA) recently, signed a technical support project with the Ministry being managed by Imani Development. In line with this, MEACA now seeks webmaster/ designer to review, customize and implement an enhanced website and to train Ministry Staff in managing and maintaining it.

The Ministry of Education and Sports (MES), is a cabinet-level ministry of Uganda. It is mandated "to provide technical support, guide, coordinate, regulate and promote quality education, training and sports to all persons in Uganda for national integration, development and individual advancement", according to the website of the ministry.

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, also Ministry of Energy, Oil and Mineral Development is one of the governmental bodies of Uganda. The ministry has the function of developing and implementing policies related to electricity, minerals, petroleum and petroleum products. The ministry is part of the national cabinet and is headed by a cabinet minister.

The ministry is responsible for energy policy, investments in mining, and the establishment of new power generating infrastructure using hydro power, thermal power, solar power, wind power and nuclear power. The two largest power development projects in the country are the 183 megawatt Isimba Hydroelectric Power Station, expected online in 2016, and the 600 megawatt Karuma Hydroelectric Power Station, expected online in 2018. According to a 2012 published report, Uganda was considering the use of nuclear energy for electricity generation.

The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) is a cabinet-level government ministry of Uganda. Its mandate is to formulate sound economic and fiscal policies, mobilize resources for the implementation of government programmes, disburse public resources as appropriated by Parliament, and account for their use in accordance with national laws and international best practices. MoFPED was created by the 1995 Constitution of Uganda and derives its power from the Constitution and related acts of parliament, including the 2001 Budget Act and the 2003 Public Finance and Accountability Act.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is a cabinet-level government ministry responsible for the implementation and management of Uganda's foreign policy and international activity.

The history of the ministry dates to the independence of Uganda on 9 October 1962. Initially, it was administratively under the Office of the Prime Minister. In 1971, it became a fully fledged ministry. In 1966, the position of State Minister for International Affairs was created, and in 1988 the position of State Minister for Regional Affairs was added.

The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) is a Cabinet-level government ministry of Uganda. The mandate of the ministry is to empower citizens to maximize their individual and collective potential by developing skills, increasing labour productivity, and cultural enrichment to achieve sustainable and gender-sensitive development.

The Ministry of Health is a cabinet-level government ministry of Uganda. It is responsible for planning, delivering, and maintaining an efficient and effective healthcare delivery system, including preventive, curative, and rehabilitative services, in a humane, affordable, and sustainable manner.

The ICT ministry was created in 2006. The ministry is mandated to provide leadership, coordination, support and advocacy in the formulation of policy, laws, regulations and strategy for the ICT sector in Uganda, to foster the achievement of national development goals.Frank Tumwebaze, the current ICT cabinet minister has set the goal, in the medium term, for Uganda to join the six leading African countries in the ICT arena.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is a cabinet-level government ministry of Uganda. It is responsible for the facilitation of "legal and orderly movement of persons to and from Uganda, regulate the residence of immigrants in the country, verify and process Uganda citizenship and enforce national and regional immigration laws for the development and security of Uganda"

The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs is a cabinet-level government ministry of Uganda. It is responsible for the provision of "legal advice and legal services to government, its allied institutions and to the general public and to support the machinery that provides the legal framework for good governance"

The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development (MLHUD), is a cabinet-level government ministry of Uganda. It is responsible for "policy direction, national standards and coordination of all matters concerning lands, housing and urban development".

In February 2010, the government of Uganda, in partnership with Thomson Reuters and with funding from the World Bank, began implementation of the Land information System. The system involves the digitization of Uganda's land registry, beginning with key geographical and administrative areas and then rolling the program out to include the entire country. This has improved the country's rank in the ease of doing business and has shortened turn-around times in processes like obtaining a mortgage, selling and buying land, and performing land surveys.

The Ministry of Local Government (MOLG), is a cabinet-level government ministry of Uganda. It is responsible for the "creation, supervision and guidance of sustainable, efficient and effective service delivery in the decentralized system of governance. The ministry is responsible for the harmonization and support of all local government functions, to cause positive socio-economic transformation of Uganda".

The Uganda Ministry of Public Service is a Cabinet level government ministry. The ministry is mandated to "develop, manage and administer human resource policies, management systems, procedures and structure for the public service" in Uganda.

The Uganda Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA) is the cabinet-level ministry responsible for the promotion of tourism, the preservation and welfare of wildlife, and the preservation, improvement and safekeeping of natural and other national historic sites and monuments.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (MTIC) is a cabinet level ministry of the government of Uganda. The mission of the ministry is to "develop and promote a competitive and export-driven private sector through the acceleration of industrial development", with the ultimate objective being the growth of the Ugandan economy. The ministry is headed by Minister Amelia Kyambadde, who was appointed by the president.

The Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) was established in 2007, from the then Ministry of Water, Lands and Environment, following the cabinet decision taken on 15th April, 2007. It has the overall responsibility of the development, managing, and regulating water and Environment resources in Uganda.

The Ministry of Works and Transport is a Cabinet level government ministry of Uganda, that is mandated to plan, develop and maintain an economic, efficient and effective transport infrastructure, and transport services by road, rail, water, and air. The ministry is also mandated to manage public works including government structures and promote standards in the construction industry. The ministry is headed by a Cabinet Minister. 

The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) is an Institution established under the provisions of Article 163 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. Its mandate, functions and powers are enshrined in the National Audit Act, 2008.

The main function of the OAG is to audit and report on the Public Accounts of Uganda and of all public offices or bodies and/or organizations established by an Act of Parliament.

The Inspectorate of Government is an independent institution charged with the responsibility of eliminating corruption, abuse of authority and of public office. The powers as enshrined in the Constitution and IG Act include to; investigate or cause investigation, arrest or cause arrest, prosecute or cause prosecution, make orders and give directions during investigations; access and search – enter and inspect premises or property or search a person or bank account or safe deposit box among others.

Office of the President (OP) is a Government Ministry through which The President of Uganda provides leadership in public policy management and good governance for National Development. 

Article 99 (3) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda vests the Executive Authority in the President and he is responsible for the welfare of the citizens and safeguards the Constitution and Laws of Uganda, among others. It is from this that Office of the President derives its mandate of providing leadership in public Policy management and good governance.

The Prime Minister of Uganda chairs the Cabinet of Uganda, although the President is the effective head of government. The post of Prime Minister was created for the first time in 1962. In 1966, Prime Minister Milton Obote suspended the Constitution, abolished the post of Prime Minister, and declared himself President. In 1980, the post of Prime Minister was re-established.

The Vice President of Uganda is the second-highest executive official in the Ugandan government. Vice President is appointed by the President.

The Ugandan Parliament was established in 1962, soon after the country's independence.

The most significant of the Ugandan Parliament's functions is to pass laws which will provide good governance in the country. The government ministers are bound to answer to the people's representatives on the floor of the house. Through the various parliamentary committees, parliament scrutinises government programmes, particularly as outlined in the State of the Nation Address by the President. The fiscal issues of the government, such as, taxation and loans need the sanction of the parliament, after appropriate debate.

The Ugandan parliament is composed of 238 Constituency Representatives, 112 District Woman Representatives, 10 Uganda People's Defense Forces Representatives, 5 Representatives of the Youth, 5 Representatives of Persons with Disabilities, 5 Representatives of Workers, and 13 ex officio Members.