Gilbert Bukenya
| Gilbert Bukenya | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 May 1949 Lwantama, Wakiso District, Uganda |
| Residence | Kakiri, Uganda |
| Nationality | Ugandan |
| Ethnicity | Muganda |
| Citizenship | Uganda |
| Education |
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB University of Queensland Australia |
| Occupation | Physician, Academician Politician Farmer & Businessman |
| Years active | 1994 — present |
| Known for | Politics, Medicine, Farming |
| Home town | Kakiri |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Spouse | Dr. Margaret Bukenya |
Gilbert Balibaseka Bukenya is a Ugandan physician and politician who was Vice President of Uganda from May 23, 2003 until May 23, 2011.[1] He also represents the constituency of Busiro North in the Ugandan Parliament, a position he has served in since 1996.
Contents |
[edit] Background
Gilbert Bukenya was born on May 8, 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]
[edit] 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 St. Henry's College Kitovu.
Later, he joined Makerere University School of Medicine in the 1970s where he graduated with the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB). He worked briefly as a Medical Officer at Mbale Hospital up to 1982 when he left Uganda for Papua New Guinea.
While outside Uganda, he obtained the degrees of Master of Science (MSc) from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine UK , and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Australia, specializing in Public Health.
[edit] Work experience
Dr. 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 ruling 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 Museveni and other historical leaders of the ruling NRM. He was the Vice President and was chairman of the ruling NRM party in the Buganda region. Dr. Bukenya subsequently became Minister of State for Trade and Industry before being elevated to Minister of the Presidency. He became Vice President in 2003 replacing Dr. Specioza Kazibwe who at the time was grappling with a failed marriage. He recently stood for the post of Secretary General of the ruling NRM and lost to the incumbent Amama Mbabazi.[3] latter replaced by Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi as the Vice president
[edit] 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 and everyone 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.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Specioza Kazibwe 1994 - 2003 |
Vice President of Uganda 2003 - 2011 |
Succeeded by Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi 2011 -Present |
