Gilbert Bukenya
| Gilbert Bukenya DR | |
|---|---|
Bukenya in 2010
| |
| 7th Vice President of Uganda | |
| In office May 2003 – May 2011 | |
| President | Yoweri Museveni |
| Preceded by | Specioza Kazibwe |
| Succeeded by | Edward Ssekandi |
| Member of the Parliament of Uganda for Busiro North | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 1997 | |
| Minister in Charge of the Presidency | |
| In office 2001–2003 | |
| Minister of State for Trade | |
| In office 2000–2001 | |
| Dean of the Makerere University School of Medicine | |
| In office 1995–1996 | |
| Director Makerere University Institute of Public Health | |
| In office 1991–1995 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Gilbert Balibaseka Bukenya 5 August 1949 Lwantama, Wakiso District, Protectorate of Uganda |
| Party | National Resistance Movement |
| Alma mater | Makerere University School of Medicine (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) Royal Institute of Public Health (Diploma in Public Health) London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (MSc in Community Health) University of Queensland (PhD in Public Health) |
| Profession | Physician, university professor, politician, farmer, businessman |
Gilbert Balibaseka Bukenya (born 5 August 1949) is a Ugandan politician and physician who was the 7th vice president of Uganda from 23 May 2003 until 23 May 2011.[1] He has represented the constituency of Busiro County North in the Ugandan Parliament since 1996[2] to 2016. In February 2024, President Yoweri Museveni appointed him as the senior presidential Advisor on environment and sanitation.[3] His autobiography, Intricate Corridors to Power, was published in 2008.[4]
Early life and education
Gilbert Bukenya was born on 5 August 1949, in the village of Lwantama in Kakiri sub-county, in Busiro County, in present-day Wakiso District,[5] about 30 kilometres (19 mi), by road, northwest of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city.[2] He was educated by the Brothers of Christian Instruction order in Uganda. He had his early education at Saint Savio Primary School, Kisubi, Saint Mary's College Kisubi, Saint Edward Secondary School, Bukuumi and Old Kampala Secondary School.
Later, he joined Makerere University School of Medicine in 1971, graduating in 1976 with the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB). He worked as a Medical Officer at Mbale Hospital up to 1982 when he left Uganda for Papua New Guinea.
While outside Uganda, he obtained a Diploma in Public Health from the Royal Institute of Public Health, in London, in 1982. He also attained the degrees of Master of Science (MSc) from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in United Kingdom, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the University of Queensland,[2] with a thesis topic of The Epidemiology of Under-Five Childhood Diarrhoeas in a Peri-Urban Population of Papua New Guinea.[6]
Career
Gilbert Bukenya returned to Uganda as a Professor of Medicine and was appointed dean 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 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 Yoweri Museveni and other historical leaders of the ruling NRM. He was chairman of the NRM in the Buganda region. Bukenya subsequently became Minister of State for Trade and Industry before being elevated to the post of Minister of the Presidency. He became Vice President in 2003 replacing Specioza Kazibwe, who at the time was grappling with a failed marriage. He later stood for the post of Secretary General of the NRM and lost to Amama Mbabazi.[2] In May 2011, he was replaced as Vice President of Uganda by Edward Ssekandi.
In September 2007, Bukenya delivered the key speeches at the Ugandan North American Association (UNAA) convention in San Francisco, California.[7][8]
Personal life
Gilbert is married to Doctor Margaret Bukenya, a classmate at Makerere Medical School in the early 1970s. He is a member of the Catholic Church. In 2005, Bukenya surprised political watchers 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.[9]
Published works
- Through intricate corridors to power. Fountain Publishers. 2008. ISBN 9789970028108.
See also
References
- Back to citation Wanambwa, Richard (24 May 2011). "Museveni Sacks Bukenya As Vice President". Daily Monitor (Kampala). Archived from the original on 4 December 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- Back to citation occurrence 2.0 Back to citation occurrence 2.1 Back to citation occurrence 2.2 Back to citation occurrence 2.3 "Profile of Bukenya Balibaseka Gilbert, Member of Parliament for Busiiro County North, Wakiso District". Parliament of Uganda. 2011. Archived from the original on 9 August 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- Back to citation Okello, Dickens H. (28 February 2024). "Museveni Appoints Ex VP Gilbert Bukenya as Presidential Advisor". ChimpReports. Retrieved 29 June 2026.
- Back to citation "VP Bukenya pens autobiography". Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
- Back to citation "Uganda's Vice Presidents over the years: Gilbert Bukenya". New Vision. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
- Back to citation "Completed Thesis Topics for Studies in Public Health at the University of Queensland: 1971 – 2007" (PDF). University of Queensland, School of Public Health. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- Back to citation "Uganda: The 2007 UNAA Meet Will be Memorable". New Vision (Kampala). 4 September 2007. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
- Back to citation "Past UNAA Conventions". Ugandan North American Association (UNAA). Retrieved 18 February 2026.
- Back to citation Nakaweesi, Dorothy (20 February 2013). "I Promote Farming To Get People Out of Poverty; Gilbert Bukenya". Daily Monitor (Kampala). Retrieved 20 February 2015.