Paul Ssemogerere
Encyclopedia
Paul Kawanga Ssemongere (born 1932) was the leader of the Democratic Party
in Uganda
for 25 years and one of the main players in Ugandan politics until his retirement in 2005. He is also a member of the Roman Catholic.
of Uganda. He received a Diploma in Education from the Makerere University
in Kampala, subsequently he studied the Politics and Government Program at Allegheny College
in Meadville, Pennsylvania
. In 1979 he obtained a Doctor of Philosophy
(PhD
) degree in Public Administration
from Syracuse University
in Syracuse, New York
. Between 1957 and 1973 he taught at various colleges in Uganda. He is married to Germina Namatovu Ssemogerere, a Professor
of Economics
at Makerere University
.
and afterwards of the National Assembly of Uganda
as MP
for North Mengo Constituency. In 1972, he replaced Benedicto Kiwanuka
as the leader of the Democratic Party.
Ssemogerere was the Presidential Candidate in the disputed 1980 General elections which were won by Milton Obote's Uganda People's Congress
. Ssemogerere then became the leader of the parliamentary opposition from 1981-1985.
After Yoweri Museveni
became president after his National Resistance Army
had taken power after a civil war, Ssemogerere was consecutively Minister of Internal Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Public Service and at the same time held the post of Deputy Prime Minister in Museveni's National Resistance Movement
government. He resigned from his government posts in 1996 because he was the Presidential Candidate for the mainstream opposition, but he lost the 1996 Presidential elections to Museveni.
Ssemogerere has also been a delegate to the Organisation for African Unity (OAU), and was Chairman of the OAU Council of Ministers from 1993 to 1994.
After his retirement from politics in November 2005, he was succeeded as party president by John Ssebaana Kizito
, the Mayor of Kampala
.
, Karoli Ssemogerere a lawyer by profession based in USA and an Old student with Lt. Col. Muhoozi Kainerugaba
Museveni from St. Mary's Kisubi, and two girls.
Democratic Party (Uganda)
The Democratic Party is a moderate conservative political party in Uganda currently led by Norbert Mao. DP was led by Paul Ssemogerere for 25 years until his retirement in November 2005...
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...
for 25 years and one of the main players in Ugandan politics until his retirement in 2005. He is also a member of the Roman Catholic.
Early life and education
Ssemogerere was born in Kalangala DistrictKalangala District
Kalangala is a district in southern Central Uganda. The district is coterminous with the Ssese Islands in Lake Victoria and does not have territory on mainland Uganda...
of Uganda. He received a Diploma in Education from the 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...
in Kampala, subsequently he studied the Politics and Government Program at Allegheny College
Allegheny College
Allegheny College is a private liberal arts college located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the town of Meadville. Founded in 1815, the college has about 2,100 undergraduate students.-Early history:...
in Meadville, Pennsylvania
Meadville, Pennsylvania
Meadville is a city in and the county seat of Crawford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The city is generally considered part of the Pittsburgh Tri-State and is within 40 miles of Erie, Pennsylvania. It was the first permanent settlement in northwest Pennsylvania...
. In 1979 he obtained a 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...
) degree in Public Administration
Public administration
Public Administration houses the implementation of government policy and an academic discipline that studies this implementation and that prepares civil servants for this work. As a "field of inquiry with a diverse scope" its "fundamental goal.....
from Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
in Syracuse, New York
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
. Between 1957 and 1973 he taught at various colleges in Uganda. He is married to Germina Namatovu Ssemogerere, a Professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of 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"...
at 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...
.
Political career
In 1961-1962 Ssemogerere was Elected Member of the Uganda Legislative CouncilLegislative Council
A Legislative Council is the name given to the legislatures, or one of the chambers of the legislature of many nations and colonies.A Member of the Legislative Council is commonly referred to as an MLC.- Unicameral legislatures :...
and afterwards of the National Assembly of Uganda
National Assembly of Uganda
The Parliament of Uganda, comprises 215 Constituency Representatives, 79 District Woman Representatives, 10 Uganda People's Defence Forces Representatives, 5 Representatives of the Youth, 5 Representatives of Persons with Disabilities, 5 Representatives of Workers, and 13 Ex-officio Members.After...
as MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for North Mengo Constituency. In 1972, he replaced Benedicto Kiwanuka
Benedicto Kiwanuka
Benedicto Kabimu Mugumba Kiwanuka was the first Prime Minister of Uganda, leader of the Democratic Party and one of the early leaders that led the country in the transition between colonial British rule and independence...
as the leader of the Democratic Party.
Ssemogerere was the Presidential Candidate in the disputed 1980 General elections which were won by Milton Obote's Uganda People's Congress
Uganda People's Congress
The Uganda People's Congress is a political party in Uganda.Uganda People's Congress was founded in 1960 by Milton Obote, who led the country to Independence and later served two presidential terms under the party's banner...
. Ssemogerere then became the leader of the parliamentary opposition from 1981-1985.
After 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...
became president after his National Resistance Army
National Resistance Army
The National Resistance Army , the military wing of the National Resistance Movement , was a rebel army that waged a guerrilla war, commonly referred to as the Luwero War or "the war in the bush", against the government of Milton Obote, and later that of Tito Okello.NRA was supported by Muammar...
had taken power after a civil war, Ssemogerere was consecutively Minister of Internal Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Public Service and at the same time held the post of Deputy Prime Minister in Museveni's 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...
government. He resigned from his government posts in 1996 because he was the Presidential Candidate for the mainstream opposition, but he lost the 1996 Presidential elections to Museveni.
Ssemogerere has also been a delegate to the Organisation for African Unity (OAU), and was Chairman of the OAU Council of Ministers from 1993 to 1994.
After his retirement from politics in November 2005, he was succeeded as party president by John Ssebaana Kizito
John Ssebaana Kizito
John Ssebaana Kizito is a Ugandan, businessman, economist and politician. He was the President of the Democratic Party in Uganda from 2005 to 2010...
, the Mayor 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...
.
Personal details
He is married to Germina Namatovu Ssemogerere, a Professor of Economics at Makerere University. With he she has children like Grace Nabatanzi married to Gerald SsendaulaGerald Ssendaula
Gerald Majera Ssendaula is a retired Ugandan Politician, Banker, and a Farmer who was a Former Cabinet Minister and MP Member of Parliament born May 15, 1943, Kyabbogo Village, Kingo Subcounty, Masaka District carved out to form the present Lwengo District....
, Karoli Ssemogerere a lawyer by profession based in USA and an Old student with Lt. Col. Muhoozi Kainerugaba
Muhoozi Kainerugaba
Muhoozi Kainerugaba is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Uganda People's Defence Force . He is the Commander of the Special Forces Group, which contains the unit known as Presidential Guard Brigade responsible for providing security to the President of Uganda and to Uganda's constitutional monarchs...
Museveni from St. Mary's Kisubi, and two girls.
Political timeline
- 1961-1962 Parliamentary Secretary to Chief Minister Benedicto Kiwanuka
- 1963-1969 Publicity Secretary Democratic Party
- 1979-1981 Member National Consultative Council
- 1981-1985 Leader of the Official Opposition
- 1984-1994 Vice President Christian Democratic International
- 1985-1988 Minister of Internal Affairs
- 1988-1990 Chair OAU Council of Ministers
- 1988-1994 Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and Regional Affairs
- 1994-1995 Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Service
- 1999 Brought the first of 5 landmark cases that outlawed the Movement System and set stage for return of Political Parties to Uganda.
- 2005 Retired as DP President to private business.
See also
- Politics of UgandaPolitics of UgandaUganda is a presidential republic, in which the President of Uganda is both head of state and head of government; there is a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the National Assembly...
- Elections in UgandaElections in UgandaUganda provides national elections for a president and a legislature. The president is elected for a five year term. The National Assembly has 292 members. 214 members are elected without party labels directly in single seat constituencies, while 78 members are elected from so-called special...
- Democratic Party (Uganda)Democratic Party (Uganda)The Democratic Party is a moderate conservative political party in Uganda currently led by Norbert Mao. DP was led by Paul Ssemogerere for 25 years until his retirement in November 2005...