President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has promoted the former vice president, Gilbert Bukenya as his new senior Presidential advisor on Environment and Sanitation in the latest reshuffles made in his top – most office in the country.
In the new role , Gilbert Bukenya will have the terms and benefits of a cabinet minister , a share he last enjoyed when he was the Vice president for eight years ( 2003- 2011).
In his newly assigned role ,the former Busiro North County member of Parilamennt will advise the president on strategies to preserve the environment ,promote sustainable development and enhance public health through improved Sanitation practices. His leadership is expected to drive positive impact in creating a cleaner , healthier and more sustainable Uganda.
President Museveni previously has also been appointing former Cabinet Ministers , Vice Presidents and government officials as his Senior Presidential advisors and these include:former Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, former Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, and former Ministers Amelia Kyambadde, Sarah Kanyike, and Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi.
Who is Gilbert Bukenya?
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 the Busiro North constituency.
He also served as chairman of the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) parliamentary caucus.
During this period, he is credited with 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.
In May 2011, he was replaced as Vice President of Uganda by Edward Ssekandi.
