Gabriel Opio
Encyclopedia
Gabriel Opio is a Uganda
n economist
and politician
. He was the Minister of Gender, Labor & Social Development
in the Ugandan Cabinet
, from 16 February 2009 until 27 May 2011. In the cabinet reshuffle of 27 May 2011, he was dropped from the Cabinet and replaced by Syda Bbumba
. Prior to his service at the Gender Ministry, he served as the State Minister for Higher Education
, from June 2006 until February 2009.
degree in Economics
from Makerere University
, Uganda's oldest university, established in 1922. His degree of Master of Arts in Economics
, was obtained from the University of Alberta
, in Edmonton
, Alberta
, Canada
. He also holds the degree of Master of Science in Finance
, from the University of British Columbia
, in Vancouver
, British Columbia
, Canada
.
. In 1996 he was elected to the Ugandan Parliament, representing "Samia-Bugwe South" in the newly created Busia District. In 1999 he was appointed State Minister for Finance
, responsible for Planning and Investments, serving in that position until 2001 when he lost his parliamentary seat to Simon Mayende.
Between 2002 and 2006, prior to his appointment to the Gender portfolio, Opio served in various capacities, including as Director of National Water and Sewerage Corporation
, Director of Centenary Bank
and Commissioner
of Uganda AIDS Commission
.
In the national election cycle of 2011, he lost his parliamentary seat of "Samia-Bugwe South" to Julius Maganda, an Independent political candidate, who is the incumbent
MP for the constituency.
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
n economist
Economist
An economist is a professional in the social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He was the Minister of Gender, Labor & Social Development
Gender
Gender is a range of characteristics used to distinguish between males and females, particularly in the cases of men and women and the masculine and feminine attributes assigned to them. Depending on the context, the discriminating characteristics vary from sex to social role to gender identity...
in the Ugandan Cabinet
Cabinet of Uganda
According to the Constitution of Uganda, "there shall be a Cabinet which shall consist of the President, the Vice President and such number of Ministers as may appear to the President to be reasonably necessary for the efficient running of the State."...
, from 16 February 2009 until 27 May 2011. In the cabinet reshuffle of 27 May 2011, he was dropped from the Cabinet and replaced by Syda Bbumba
Syda Bbumba
Syda Namirembe Bbumba , is a Ugandan accountant, politician and banker. She is the current Minister of Gender, Labor & Social Development. She was appointed to that position on 27 May 2011, replacing Dr. Gabriel Opio, who was dropped from the Cabinet...
. Prior to his service at the Gender Ministry, he served as the State Minister for Higher Education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
, from June 2006 until February 2009.
Education
Opio holds a Bachelor of ArtsBachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in Economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
from Makerere University
Makerere University
Makerere University , Uganda's largest and second-oldest higher institution of learning, , was first established as a technical school in 1922. In 1963 it became the University of East Africa, offering courses leading to general degrees from the University of London...
, Uganda's oldest university, established in 1922. His degree of Master of Arts in Economics
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
, was obtained from the University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
, in Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He also holds the degree of Master of Science in Finance
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
, from the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
, in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Career
Between 1993 and 1996 he served as a member of the National Resistance Council for Samia-Bugwe constituency in the then Tororo DistrictTororo District
Tororo District is a district in Eastern Uganda. Like most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its "chief town", Tororo.-Location:Tororo District is bordered by Mbale District to the north, Manafwa District to the northeast, the Republic of Kenya to the east, Busia District to the south,...
. In 1996 he was elected to the Ugandan Parliament, representing "Samia-Bugwe South" in the newly created Busia District. In 1999 he was appointed State Minister for Finance
Finance
"Finance" is often defined simply as the management of money or “funds” management Modern finance, however, is a family of business activity that includes the origination, marketing, and management of cash and money surrogates through a variety of capital accounts, instruments, and markets created...
, responsible for Planning and Investments, serving in that position until 2001 when he lost his parliamentary seat to Simon Mayende.
Between 2002 and 2006, prior to his appointment to the Gender portfolio, Opio served in various capacities, including as Director of National Water and Sewerage Corporation
National Water and Sewerage Corporation
National Water and Sewerage Corporation ' is a water supply and sanitation company in Uganda. It is 100% owned by the Government of Uganda.-History:...
, Director of Centenary Bank
Centenary Bank
Centenary Bank is a commercial bank in Uganda. It is one of the twenty-three licensed commercial banks in the country.-Overview:The bank is a mid-sized financial services provider in Uganda. It is primarily involved in the promotion of development through loans to rural farmers, processors of...
and Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner is in principle the title given to a member of a commission or to an individual who has been given a commission ....
of Uganda AIDS Commission
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
.
In the national election cycle of 2011, he lost his parliamentary seat of "Samia-Bugwe South" to Julius Maganda, an Independent political candidate, who is the incumbent
Incumbent
The incumbent, in politics, is the existing holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent. For example, in the 2004 United States presidential election, George W...
MP for the constituency.