James Wapakhabulo
Encyclopedia
James Francis Wambogo Wapakhabulo (March 23, 1945 - 27 March 2004) was the foreign minister of Uganda
from 2001 until his death.
Wapakhabulo began his career studying law at the University of East Africa (now University of Dar es Salaam
). From the 1960s until its collapse in 1977, he worked as a clerk and legal draftsman with the Assembly of the East African Community. Later that year, he moved to Papua New Guinea
, as first a senior legal draftsman, and then a principal legal officer. He continued in this role until 1986.
Wapakhabulo became involved with the ruling National Resistance Movement. He then stood for Parliament, and between 1994 and 1995 was Chairman of the Constituent Assembly
. In 1996, he was promoted to Speaker of Parliament
, which he held until 1998. After three years as a backbencher, he became Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2001. He held both these positions until his death.
In his time as foreign minister, he helped contain a conflict with Rwanda
, and soothed relations with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi
and Sudan
. In 2001, Wapakhabulo threatened to sue an opposition MP, Wanjusi Wasieba, after Wasieba accused him of blocking his electoral nomination. After making the accusation, Wasieba claimed that he had received death threats and hired armed guards.
Several days before he died, Wapakhabulo wrote to President (and long-time friend) Yoweri Museveni
, opposing the lifting of term limits outside those prescribed by the constitution.
Wapakhabulo was liked by many on both sides of Uganda
n politics. Upon hearing of his passing, leading opposition MP Aggrey Awori
stated that he was "the best speaker ever". He was a recipient of Uganda's Nalubaale Medal, for civilian activists who had assisted during the guerrilla war. Upon his death, Vice President Gilbert Bukenya
proposed that Parliament Avenue in Kampala
be renamed Wapa Avenue in honor of Wapakhabulo.
In January 2005, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni appointed Sam Kutesa
, then minister of state for investment, to succeed Wapakhabulo as foreign minister.
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...
from 2001 until his death.
Wapakhabulo began his career studying law at the University of East Africa (now University of Dar es Salaam
University of Dar es Salaam
The University of Dar es Salaam is a university in the Tanzanian city of Dar es Salaam. The university was born out of a decision taken in 1970 to split the then University of East Africa into three independent universities; Makerere University , University of Nairobi and University of Dar es...
). From the 1960s until its collapse in 1977, he worked as a clerk and legal draftsman with the Assembly of the East African Community. Later that year, he moved to 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...
, as first a senior legal draftsman, and then a principal legal officer. He continued in this role until 1986.
Wapakhabulo became involved with the ruling National Resistance Movement. He then stood for Parliament, and between 1994 and 1995 was Chairman of the Constituent Assembly
Constituent assembly
A constituent assembly is a body composed for the purpose of drafting or adopting a constitution...
. In 1996, he was promoted to Speaker of Parliament
Speaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
, which he held until 1998. After three years as a backbencher, he became Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2001. He held both these positions until his death.
In his time as foreign minister, he helped contain a conflict with Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
, and soothed relations with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi
Burundi
Burundi , officially the Republic of Burundi , is a landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Its capital is Bujumbura...
and Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
. In 2001, Wapakhabulo threatened to sue an opposition MP, Wanjusi Wasieba, after Wasieba accused him of blocking his electoral nomination. After making the accusation, Wasieba claimed that he had received death threats and hired armed guards.
Several days before he died, Wapakhabulo wrote to President (and long-time friend) Yoweri Museveni
Yoweri Museveni
Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is a Ugandan politician and statesman. He has been President of Uganda since 26 January 1986.Museveni was involved in the war that deposed Idi Amin Dada, ending his rule in 1979, and in the rebellion that subsequently led to the demise of the Milton Obote regime in 1985...
, opposing the lifting of term limits outside those prescribed by the constitution.
Wapakhabulo was liked by many on both sides of 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 politics. Upon hearing of his passing, leading opposition MP Aggrey Awori
Aggrey Awori
Aggrey Siryoyi Awori is a Ugandan politician and a member of the ruling National Resistance Movement party. He was the Minister for Information & Communications Technology in the Ugandan Cabinet, from 16 February 2009 until 27 May 2011. In the Cabinet reshuffle of 27 May 2011, he was dropped from...
stated that he was "the best speaker ever". He was a recipient of Uganda's Nalubaale Medal, for civilian activists who had assisted during the guerrilla war. Upon his death, Vice President Gilbert Bukenya
Gilbert Bukenya
Gilbert Balibaseka Bukenya is a Ugandan 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....
proposed that Parliament Avenue in 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...
be renamed Wapa Avenue in honor of Wapakhabulo.
In January 2005, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni appointed Sam Kutesa
Sam Kutesa
Sam Kahamba Kutesa is a Ugandan lawyer and politician. He is the current Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Ugandan Cabinet, a position he has held since 13 January 2005. He is also the elected Member of Parliament for "Mawogola County", Sembabule District...
, then minister of state for investment, to succeed Wapakhabulo as foreign minister.
External links
See also
- List of Speakers of the Parliament of Uganda
- Francis Butagira
- Yoweri MuseveniYoweri MuseveniYoweri Kaguta Museveni is a Ugandan politician and statesman. He has been President of Uganda since 26 January 1986.Museveni was involved in the war that deposed Idi Amin Dada, ending his rule in 1979, and in the rebellion that subsequently led to the demise of the Milton Obote regime in 1985...
- Francis Ayume
- Edward SsekandiEdward SsekandiEdward Kiwanuka Ssekandi , is a Ugandan lawyer and politician. He is the current Vice President of Uganda. He was appointed to that position on 24 May 2011. Prior to that, he served as the Speaker of Parliament of Uganda, a position he served in from 2001 until 2011...
- Rebecca KadagaRebecca KadagaRebecca Alitwala Kadaga is a Ugandan lawyer and politician. She is the current Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament. She was elected to that position on Thursday 19 May 2011. She is the first female to be elected Speaker in the history of Parliament in Uganda. She succeeds Edward Ssekandi, who served...