Gilbert Bukenya

Gilbert Balibaseka Bukenya is a Ugandan politician and physician who was Vice President of Uganda from 23 May 2003 until 23 May 2011.[1] He has represented the constituency of Busiro County North in the Ugandan Parliament since 1996.[2] His autobiography, Intricate Corridors to Power, was published in 2008.[3]

Gilbert Bukenya
7th Vice President of Uganda
In office
May 2003 – May 2011
PresidentYoweri Museveni
Preceded bySpecioza Kazibwe
Succeeded byEdward Ssekandi
Member of the Parliament of Uganda
for Busiro North
Assumed office
1996
Minister in Charge of the Presidency
In office
2001–2003
Minister of State for Trade
In office
2000–2001
Dean of the Makerere University School of Medicine
In office
1995–1996
Director Makerere University Institute of Public Health
In office
1991–1995
Personal details
Born
Gilbert Balibaseka Bukenya

(1949-08-05) 5 August 1949
Lwantama, Wakiso District, Uganda
Political partyNational Resistance Movement
ResidenceKakiri, Uganda
Alma materMakerere University School of Medicine
(Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery)
Royal Institute of Public Health
(Diploma in Public Health)
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
(MSc in Community Health)
University of Queensland
(PhD in Public Health)
ProfessionPhysician, university professor, politician, farmer, businessman

Background

Gilbert Bukenya was born on 5 August 1949, in the village of Lwantama in Kakiri sub-county, in Busiro County, in present-day Wakiso District, about 30 kilometres (19 mi), by road, northwest of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city.[2]

Education

He was educated by the Brothers of Christian Instruction order in Uganda. He had his early education at St. Savio Primary School, Kisubi, St. Mary's College Kisubi, St. Edward Secondary School, Bukuumi and Old Kampala Secondary School.

Later, he joined Makerere University School of Medicine in 1971, graduating in 1976 with the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB). He worked as a Medical Officer at Mbale Hospital up to 1982 when he left Uganda for Papua New Guinea.

While outside Uganda, he obtained a Diploma in Public Health from the Royal Institute of Public Health, in London, in 1982. He also attained the degrees of Master of Science (MSc) from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine UK, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the University of Queensland,[2] with a thesis topic of The Epidemiology of Under-Five Childhood Diarrhoeas in a Peri-Urban Population of Papua New Guinea.[4]

Work experience

Gilbert Bukenya returned to Uganda as a Professor of Medicine and was appointed dean of Makerere University School of Medicine, a position he held from 1994 until 1996. In 1996 he entered politics and was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Busiro North constituency. He also served as chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) parliamentary caucus. During this period he is credited for having managed to defuse the tension that was boiling up between President Yoweri Museveni and other historical leaders of the ruling NRM. He was chairman of the NRM in the Buganda region. Bukenya subsequently became Minister of State for Trade and Industry before being elevated to the post of Minister of the Presidency. He became Vice President in 2003 replacing Specioza Kazibwe, who at the time was grappling with a failed marriage. He later stood for the post of Secretary General of the NRM and lost to Amama Mbabazi.[2] In May 2011, he was replaced as Vice President of Uganda by Edward Ssekandi.

Personal details

He is married to Dr. Margaret Bukenya, a classmate at Makerere Medical School in the early 1970s. He is a member of the Catholic Church. In 2005 Dr. Bukenya surprised political watchers when he alleged that the government was being controlled by a mafia clique. In an interview with the Daily Monitor, he said that the mafia was plotting his downfall. This was attributed to his ever-increasing popularity and his closeness to the powerful Catholic Church in Uganda. He is reported to enjoy swimming and farming. He is credited with the introduction of the cultivation of upland rice, also known as NERICA in Uganda.[5]

Published works
  • Through intricate corridors to power. Fountain Publishers. 2008. ISBN 9789970028108.

See also

References
  1. Wanambwa, Richard (24 May 2011). "Museveni Sacks Bukenya As Vice President". Daily Monitor (Kampala). Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  2. POU, . (2011). "Profile of Bukenya Balibaseka Gilbert, Member of Parliament for Busiiro County North, Wakiso District". Parliament of Uganda (POU). Archived from the original on 9 August 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. "VP Bukenya pens autobiography". Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  4. UQSPH, . "Completed Thesis Topics for Studies in Public Health at the University of Queensland: 1971 – 2007" (PDF). University of Queensland, School of Public Health. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. Nakaweesi, Dorothy (20 February 2013). "I Promote Farming To Get People Out of Poverty; Gilbert Bukenya". Daily Monitor (Kampala). Retrieved 20 February 2015.
Political offices
Preceded by
Specioza Kazibwe		 Vice President of Uganda
2003–2011		 Succeeded by
Edward Ssekandi
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