Gilbert Bukenya
Encyclopedia
Gilbert Balibaseka Bukenya is a Uganda
n physician
and politician
who was Vice President of Uganda
from May 23, 2003 until May 23, 2011. He also represents the constituency of Busiro North in the Ugandan Parliament, a position he has served in since 1996.
, about 30 kilometres (18.6 mi), by road, northwest of Kampala
, Uganda
's capital and largest city.
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
.
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
. latter replaced by Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi as the Vice president
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.
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 physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
who was Vice President of Uganda
Vice President of Uganda
This is a list of vice presidents of Uganda. It may be incomplete....
from May 23, 2003 until May 23, 2011. He also represents the constituency of Busiro North in the Ugandan Parliament, a position he has served in since 1996.
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 DistrictWakiso District
Wakiso District is a district in Central Uganda that encircles Kampala, Uganda's capital city. The district is named after the town of Wakiso, where the district headquarters are located.-Location:...
, about 30 kilometres (18.6 mi), by road, northwest of Kampala
Kampala
Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
, Uganda
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...
's capital and largest city.
Education
He was educated by the Brothers of Christian InstructionBrothers of Christian Instruction
The Brothers of Christian Instruction also known as the De la Mennais Brothers is a Christian educational organization founded in 1819 by Gabriel Deshayes and Jean-Marie de la Mennais for the instruction of youth. Their aim remains that of their Founder :"to educate the young and to make Jesus...
order in Uganda. He had his early education at St. Savio Primary School, Kisubi, St. Mary's College Kisubi
St. Mary's College Kisubi
St. Mary's College Kisubi is a boys-only boarding middle and high school located in Wakiso District in Central Uganda.-Location:The school is situated on a campus at Kisubi, approximately , by road, south of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city...
, St. Edward Secondary School, Bukuumi and St. Henry's College Kitovu
St. Henry's College Kitovu
St. Henry's College Kitovu , is a boys-only boarding middle and high school in Masaka District, Central Uganda.-Location:The school campus is located on Kitovu Hill St. Henry's College Kitovu (SHACK), is a boys-only boarding middle and high school in Masaka District, Central Uganda.-Location:The...
.
Later, he joined Makerere University School of Medicine
Makerere University School of Medicine
Makerere University School of Medicine , also known as Makerere University Medical School is the school of medicine of Makerere University, Uganda's oldest university. The medical school is the oldest medical school in Eastern Africa, having been part of the Makerere University, since 1924...
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
Mbale Hospital
Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, commonly known as Mbale Hospital is a hospital in Mbale, eastern Uganda. It is the referral hospital for the districts of Busia, Budaka, Bukwa, Butaleja, Manafwa, Mbale, Pallisa, Sironko and Tororo.-Location:...
up to 1982 when he left Uganda for Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
.
While outside Uganda, he obtained the degrees of Master of Science
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:...
(MSc
MSC
- Computers:* Mario Strikers Charged* Microsoft Common Console Document, file for the Microsoft Management Console* Microelectronics Support Centre* Microsoft Corporation* MIDI Show Control* Message Sequence Chart...
) from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine UK , and Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
(PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
) Australia, specializing in Public Health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
.
Work experience
Dr. Gilbert Bukenya returned to Uganda as a Professor of Medicine and was appointed deanDean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
of Makerere University School of Medicine
Makerere University School of Medicine
Makerere University School of Medicine , also known as Makerere University Medical School is the school of medicine of Makerere University, Uganda's oldest university. The medical school is the oldest medical school in Eastern Africa, having been part of the Makerere University, since 1924...
, 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
National Resistance Movement
The National Resistance Movement , commonly referred to as the Movement, is a political organization in Uganda.Until a referendum in 2005, Uganda held elections on a non-party basis. The NRM dominates parliament, however, and is expected to continue to do so. The presidential elections of 12 March...
(NRM
NRM
NRM is a three letter acronym that can refer to:* National Railway Museum, York, UK* National Railway Museum - in general* National Resistance Movement, a political organisation in Uganda...
) 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
Buganda
Buganda is a subnational kingdom within Uganda. The kingdom of the Ganda people, Buganda is the largest of the traditional kingdoms in present-day Uganda, comprising all of Uganda's Central Region, including the Ugandan capital Kampala, with the exception of the disputed eastern Kayunga District...
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
Specioza Kazibwe
Specioza Naigaga Wandira Kazibwe, MBChB, MMed , PhD , is a Ugandan physician, politician and mother. She is sometimes referred to as Nalongo because of her twin daughters .She was elected Vice President of Uganda, serving in that position from 1994 until 2003...
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
Amama Mbabazi
Patrick Amama Mbabazi is a senior Ugandan lawyer and politician. He is the current Prime Minister of Uganda, a position he has held since 24 May 2011. Prior to his current position, he served as the Minister for Security in the Ugandan Cabinet, from February 2009 until May 2011...
. latter replaced by Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi as the Vice president
Personal details
He is married to Dr. Margaret Bukenya, a classmate at Makerere Medical SchoolMakerere University School of Medicine
Makerere University School of Medicine , also known as Makerere University Medical School is the school of medicine of Makerere University, Uganda's oldest university. The medical school is the oldest medical school in Eastern Africa, having been part of the Makerere University, since 1924...
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
Upland rice
Upland rice is rice grown on dry soil. Most rice is grown in flooded rice paddies.- Introduction :Nearly 100 million people now depend on upland rice as their daily staple food. Almost two-thirds of the upland rice area is in Asia...
, also known as NERICA in Uganda.