Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has secured a new government role months after his dismissal from the Cabinet by President William Ruto.

In a diplomatic reshuffle announced on Wednesday, January 21, President Ruto appointed Namwamba as Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda, marking his return to public service after his controversial exit from the Sports docket during last year’s Cabinet shake-up.

Namwamba replaces Ambassador Joash Maangi, who has served in Kampala since 2024. Maangi has not been recalled but redeployed to Brussels, Belgium, where he will serve as Kenya’s representative to the European Commission.

As High Commissioner, Namwamba will be Kenya’s top diplomatic envoy to Uganda, overseeing bilateral relations, trade negotiations, and the welfare of Kenyans living in the country. He will also work to deepen economic ties between the two neighbours, with Uganda remaining one of Kenya’s key trading partners.

His role will include providing consular services, supporting Kenyan businesses, and advancing regional integration through the East African Community framework.