Specioza Kazibwe
Encyclopedia
Specioza Naigaga Wandira Kazibwe, MBChB, MMed (Surgery
), PhD
(Health Policy), is a Uganda
n 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. She is the first woman
in Africa
to hold that position.
, a prestigious all-female boarding high school affiliated with the Catholic Church, located on the Kampala-Jinja Highway
, near the town of Lugazi
. In 1974 she entered Makerere University School of Medicine
, where she studied human medicine, graduating with the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree in 1979. She later obtained the Master of Medicine
(MMed) degree, also from Makerere University Medical School, specializing in General Surgery
.
In 2006, she was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy
(PhD), by Harvard School of Public Health
, Department of Population and International Health, majoring in Health Policy Analysis. There is some contradiction here on whether she finished or still pursuing the PhD degree.
. She won her first election as a village leader, on the ticket of the National Resistance Movement
(NRM
) in 1987. She was later elected Women's Representative for Kampala District
and became Chairperson of the Advisory Committee for Museveni's
election campaign.
She first began serving the administration of Yoweri Museveni
in 1989, when she was appointed Deputy Minister for Industry, a post she held until 1991. From 1991 until 1994, she served as Minister for Gender and Community Development. She was a member of the Constitution Assembly which drafted Uganda's new constitution in 1994. In 1996, she was elected Member of Parliament for the constituency of Kigulu South in Iganga District
. From 1994 until 2003, Dr. Kazibwe served as Uganda's Vice President and as Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
Dr. Kazibwe has been an advocate for women in their position in Africa
. In collaboration with the Organization of African Unity and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
, she founded the African Women Committee on Peace and Development (AWCPD) in 1998; an organization she has chaired. The objective of AWCPD is to help enable women's participation in peace and development processes on the continent. Dr. Kazibwe has also been chair or a member of various national interest groups, including:
In 1998, the Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO
) awarded her the "Ceres Medal" for her "contribution to food security and poverty eradication".
. Polygamy and wife beating are relatively common in Uganda
, but divorce is relatively rare. Mr. Kazibwe opposed the divorce, citing his Catholic
faith, and saying that his wife had come home late without giving a proper explanation, and had joined with some other politicians he did not like. Finding it difficult to perform her political duties and deal with the increasingly messy divorce case, on Wednesday, May 21, 2003, Dr. Kazibwe stepped down from her positions in government, asking to be allowed to continue her studies. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Health Systems at Harvard University
. She has four children including twins from her first marriage and has adopted several others.
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
), 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...
(Health Policy), is a 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...
, politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and mother. She is sometimes referred to as Nalongo because of her twin daughters .She was elected Vice President
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
of Uganda, serving in that position from 1994 until 2003. She is the first woman
Woman
A woman , pl: women is a female human. The term woman is usually reserved for an adult, with the term girl being the usual term for a female child or adolescent...
in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
to hold that position.
Education
Specioza Kazibwe attended Mount Saint Mary's College NamagungaMount Saint Mary's College Namagunga
Mount Saint Mary's College Namagunga is an all-girl boarding school located in Buikwe District in Uganda. The school is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lugazi.-Location:...
, a prestigious all-female boarding high school affiliated with the Catholic Church, located on the Kampala-Jinja Highway
Kampala-Jinja Highway
Kampala-Jinja Highway is a road in Uganda, connecting the cities of Kampala and Jinja. Sometimes referred to as Kampala-Jinja Road, it is a busy road, with several towns, trading centers and other landmarks along the way.-Location:...
, near the town of Lugazi
Lugazi
Lugazi is a town in Buikwe District, in Central Uganda. The town is also called Kawolo, and the two names are interchangeably used by the local inhabitants.-Location:...
. In 1974 she entered 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...
, where she studied human medicine, graduating with the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree in 1979. She later obtained the Master of Medicine
Master of Medicine
Master of Medicine is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by medical schools to medical doctors following a period of instruction and examination. The degree is awarded by both surgical and medical subspecialties and usually includes a dissertation component involving original research...
(MMed) degree, also from Makerere University Medical School, specializing in General Surgery
General surgery
General surgery, despite its name, is a surgical specialty that focuses on abdominal organs, e.g., intestines including esophagus, stomach, small bowel, colon, liver, pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts, and often the thyroid gland . They also deal with diseases involving the skin, breast, soft...
.
In 2006, she was awarded the degree of 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), by Harvard School of Public Health
Harvard School of Public Health
The Harvard School of Public Health is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University, located in the Longwood Area of the Boston, Massachusetts neighborhood of Mission Hill, which is next to Harvard Medical School. HSPH is considered a significant school focusing on health in the...
, Department of Population and International Health, majoring in Health Policy Analysis. There is some contradiction here on whether she finished or still pursuing the PhD degree.
Work experience
Dr. Kazibwe began her political career as a member of the youth and women's wings of the Ugandan Democratic PartyDemocratic 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...
. She won her first election as a village leader, on the ticket of the 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...
) in 1987. She was later elected Women's Representative for Kampala District
Kampala District
Kampala District is a district in Uganda that is coterminous with the country's capital city, Kampala. The district is named after the city. The main language spoken is Luganda. However many other languages are spoken, including: English, Swahili, Runyankole/Rukiga, Acholi and...
and became Chairperson of the Advisory Committee for Museveni's
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...
election campaign.
She first began serving the administration of 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...
in 1989, when she was appointed Deputy Minister for Industry, a post she held until 1991. From 1991 until 1994, she served as Minister for Gender and Community Development. She was a member of the Constitution Assembly which drafted Uganda's new constitution in 1994. In 1996, she was elected Member of Parliament for the constituency of Kigulu South in Iganga District
Iganga District
Iganga District is a district in Eastern Uganda. Like most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Iganga, where the district headquarters are located.-Location:...
. From 1994 until 2003, Dr. Kazibwe served as Uganda's Vice President and as Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
Dr. Kazibwe has been an advocate for women in their position in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. In collaboration with the Organization of African Unity and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa was established in 1958 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council to encourage economic cooperation among its member states following a recommendation of the United Nations General Assembly.It is one of five regional commissions.The ECA...
, she founded the African Women Committee on Peace and Development (AWCPD) in 1998; an organization she has chaired. The objective of AWCPD is to help enable women's participation in peace and development processes on the continent. Dr. Kazibwe has also been chair or a member of various national interest groups, including:
- The Senior Women's Advisory Group on the Environment
- The Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Association Limited
- The Uganda Women Doctors Association
In 1998, the Food and Agriculture Organization
Food and Agriculture Organization
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is a specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and...
(FAO
Fão
Fão is a town in Esposende Municipality in Portugal....
) awarded her the "Ceres Medal" for her "contribution to food security and poverty eradication".
Personal details
In April 2002, Dr. Kazibwe filed for divorce from her husband, saying that she refused to be the victim of continued domestic violenceDomestic violence
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
. Polygamy and wife beating are relatively common 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...
, but divorce is relatively rare. Mr. Kazibwe opposed the divorce, citing his Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
faith, and saying that his wife had come home late without giving a proper explanation, and had joined with some other politicians he did not like. Finding it difficult to perform her political duties and deal with the increasingly messy divorce case, on Wednesday, May 21, 2003, Dr. Kazibwe stepped down from her positions in government, asking to be allowed to continue her studies. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Health Systems at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. She has four children including twins from her first marriage and has adopted several others.