About the Ministry

President Yoweri Museveni is a Ugandan politician and military leader who has been in power since 1986. He was born on September 15, 1944, in Ntungamo, southwestern Uganda.

Museveni came to power after a five-year guerrilla war in which he led the National Resistance Army (NRA) against the government of Milton Obote. Since then, he has been reelected in a series of contested elections, with the most recent being in January 2021.

Under Museveni’s leadership, Uganda has experienced economic growth and development, with poverty rates decreasing and access to education and healthcare improving. He has implemented policies aimed at promoting agriculture, infrastructure development, and foreign investment.

Museveni has also been praised for his efforts to bring peace and stability to Uganda, ending decades of civil war and insurgency in the northern part of the country.

Furthermore, he has played a key role in regional politics, particularly in the East African Community, promoting integration and cooperation among African nations. He has been a vocal advocate for African unity and self-sufficiency, and has championed the cause of African development and progress on the international stage.

In addition, President Museveni has been recognized for his leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Uganda, with the country being hailed as a model for other nations in terms of its comprehensive approach to prevention, treatment, and care.

Vincent Ssempijja

Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja is a Ugandan politician who currently holds the position of Minister of Defence since June 2021. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Cabinet Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries from 2016 to 2021. From March 2015 to June 2016, he was the State Minister for Agriculture. Additionally, he is an elected Member of Parliament representing Kalungu County East in Kalungu District.

Background and education

Ssempijja was born on November 28, 1956, in Kalungu District, Buganda. He completed his O-Level studies in 1974 and his A-Level education in 1976. In 2007, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration from Nkumba University. He later obtained a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from the same institution in 2010.

Leadership

Before 2011, Ssempijja served as the District Chairman for Masaka District, which comprised Kalungu District, Lwengo District, and Bukomansimbi District. In 2011, he was elected as an Independent to represent “Kalungu County East” in the 9th Ugandan Parliament. On March 1, 2015, he was appointed as the State Minister for Agriculture in a cabinet reshuffle by President Yoweri Museveni. Later on June 6, 2016, he was appointed as the Cabinet Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries. In June 2021, he was appointed as the Minister of Defence.

Jacob Marksons Oboth, also known as Jacob Oboth-Oboth, was born on April 13, 1971. He is a Ugandan lawyer, intellectual property (IP) expert, and politician, who is a member of the ruling party NRM and serves as the elected Member of Parliament for West Budama County South. Additionally, he holds the position of State Minister for Defence (General Duties). Oboth-Oboth currently chairs the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee and has previously served as chairperson of the parliamentary Committee on Rules, Discipline and Privileges and the Committee on Natural Resources. He is also an active member of the parliamentary Business Committee.

Background

After completing his law degree, Oboth-Oboth served as the Deputy Attorney General for Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution. He then worked as a state attorney in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, based in Mbale. In 2007, he left his government job to pursue a master’s degree in election and cyber law at the University of Minnesota. Upon his return in 2010, he joined active politics, using the connections he had made in the US to secure donors who offered to initiate projects in his constituency, which helped him win over voters.

Leadership

He was elected as an Independent MP for West Budama South in 2011 after defeating the incumbent State Minister for Labor, Dr Emmanuel Otaala, who unsuccessfully challenged his victory in court. Oboth-Oboth was re-elected in 2016, setting a record for being the first legislator to be elected for a second successive term in his constituency since 1996.

In the 9th Parliament, Oboth-Oboth chaired the Committee on Rules, Discipline and Privileges and the parliamentary ad hoc committee to investigate the electricity sub sector, the Committee on Natural Resources. He now chairs the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee and is a member of the Committee on Rules, Discipline and Privileges and the Business Committee in the 10th Parliament.

Huda Abason Oleru, born on December 3rd, 1975, is a Ugandan politician and legislator. She served as the Women Member of Parliament Representative for Yumbe District in the Eighth and Ninth Parliament of Uganda. Initially independent, she is now affiliated with the National Resistance Movement political party. Additionally, she has also held the position of Minister of State for Veteran Affairs.

Background

Huda Abason Oleru was born to Ayub Adiga and Drakai Khadija, in Pania village, Kophi sub-county, Yumbe district. She attended Limidia Primary School before proceeding to Yumbe Secondary School. Later on, she joined Mvara Secondary School. After completing her secondary education, Huda pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration at the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU). Subsequently, she obtained a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Management before venturing into politics.

Leadership

Prior to joining politics, Huda Abason Oleru worked as a teacher at Aringa Primary School and also served as the secretary for the youth of Romogi sub-county. In 1996, she was appointed as the National Resistance Council Youth general secretary in Romogi Sub-county. From 1996 to 1998, she worked as a teacher at Limitia Primary School. Between 1998 to 2000, she served as a Community Facilitator with the Community Actor Programme. Later on, from 2000 to 2003, Huda held the position of Investment Chairperson for Lulu sub-county.