In part one of our series, we bring you powerful individuals who have seen Museveni through elections from 1996-211. And who are the possible king makers in 2016 elections.
Yoweri Museveni has been the President of Uganda for the last 29 years, having come to power after a five-year guerilla war, fought mostly in the jungles of Luweero between 1981 and 1986. During Museveni’s regime, the country under the National Resistance Movement/Army (NRM/A) government has seen several political changes, the most important being the promulgation of a new Constitution in 1995. And ten years after the Constitution was assented to, the country was to return to multiparty democracy, paving the way for competitive politics, beginning with presidential and parliamentary elections of 2006. But Museveni has won the four elections: in 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011, and below Eagleonline profiles the people who have over the years played an instrumental role in Museveni’s election and re-election victories, beginning with 1996.
Greater Bushenyi
Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire
To many Ugandans Major General Severino Kahinda Otafiire needs no introduction; he is as comic as he is tough. Born 66 years ago in 1950, Otafiire is the current Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, appointed in May 2011. He is one of the ‘Original’ members of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and has served in five ministries and in the military and security services since 1986 when the regime came to power. Otafiire is also the MP for Ruhinda County in Mitooma District and has played a big role in ensuring that the NRM and Yoweri Museveni remain in power.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, obtained from Makerere University in 1975 and is one of the longest serving MPs, having joined Parliament in 1996.
He joined the Bush War in 1981, and as Chief/National Political Commissar from 1981 to 1986, he was instrumental in ensuring the NRM attains and maintains State power.
Col. Nuwe Amanya Mushega
The 69-year old Nuwe Amany Mushega joined the bush in 1981, after abandoning his Doctor of Philosophy programme at the prestigious London School of Economics, the LSE. A lawyer by training, Mushega went to Mbarara High School, Kings College Budo and Dar es Salaam University, from where he graduated in 1972. He also obtained a Masters in Law (LLM) from the Queens University in Canada and between 1972 and 1979, lectured law students at the Universities of Makerere and Zambia. He hails from Bushenyi and has represented Igara East in Parliament and like Otafiire, he was at one time the Chief Political Commissar of the NRM, while he has also served in Cabinet, first in Defence and later in local government, education and public service.
In 2001 he was appointed the East African Community Secretary General, the first holder of the office under the renewed EAC. He returned to the country in 2006 and joined the Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), where he was elected regional vice chairman for Western Uganda. Currently lying low, Mushega runs a private consulting firm, Mushega and Associates Consultants. Earlier in 2003, Mushega had fallen out with the NRM following the lifting of term limits, a development that paved the way for Yoweri Museveni to stand for the presidency beyond the then two-term mandate stipulated in the 1995 Constitution.
Prof. Tarsis Bazana Kabwegyere
The Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister in charge of General duties, the 74-year old Prof Tarsis Bazana Kabwegyere has represented Igara West in Parliament, and has also held several ministerial posts, first under the Uganda National Liberation Front (UNLF) government between 1979 and 1980, and then from 1986 to date under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government, where he was a Member of the National Resistance Council (NRC), the legislative arm of the National Resistance Movement (NRM government from 1986 to 1996. A Sociologist, Kabwegyere has also taught at Makerere University, his Alma Mater.
Bart Magunda Katurebe
Born in 1950, Bart Magunda Katurebe studied law at Makerere University, graduating in 1974, and later worked as a State Attorney in the Ministry of Justice from 1975 to 1983. He then joined politics and from 1988 until 1991, he served as the Deputy Minister for Regional Cooperation, then Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology (1991 to 1992), and State Minister for Health and a member of the National Resistance Council, legislative body at that time (1992 to 1996). From 1994 until 1995, he was the elected member of the Constituent Assembly representing Bunyaruguru County, Rubirizi district. From 1996 until 2001, he served as the Minister of Justice, Constitutional Affairs and Attorney General. He went back to private practice in 2001, starting his own law firm Kampala Associated Advocates. He was appointed Justice of the Supreme Court in 2005. On 5 March 2015, he was appointed Chief Justice of Uganda.
Richard Henry Kaijuka (AICB, FICB)
Richard Henry Kaijuka is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (FICB, UK) and in the 1980s served as the Chairman/Managing Director of the defunct Uganda Commercial Bank (UCB). A holder of a degree in Economics from Makerere University, Kaijuka has also served at Barclays Bank and in various other capacities in the banking sector. He later became Minister of Trade in the mid-1990s under the NRM government and is currently living a low profile life.
Maj. David Guma Gumisiriza
Major (rtd) David Guma Gumisiriza is a former Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst – trained army officer; former Member of Parliament and Constituent and Assembly Delegate (CAD) for Ibanda North. Gumisiriza, who holds a Bachelors degree of Arts in Economics from Makerere University, fell out with the NRM after he opposed the lifting of term limits.
Bunyoro sub-region
Baguma Isoke
Hails from Kibaale district from Buyanja County and was for a long time a State Minister for Lands. He did a lot of lobbying for President Museveni in the volatile Bunyoro region especially Kibaale district where there are many absent landlords. He is currently a chairman of Uganda Land Commission. He was instrumental for mobilizing for both 1996 and 2001 elections.
Henry Muganwa Kajura
One of the longest serving MPs in the current Parliament, Kajura hails from Hoima and is currently the Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Service. He represents Hoima Municipality. He is a powerful figure in Bunyoro and he is responsible for NRM’s penetration into villages. From 1988 until 1989, he was chairman LC V Hoima District.
He was appointed Minister of Trade & Industry and then Natural Resources, Water & Mineral Development in 1989, serving in that capacity until 1998. Between 1998 and 2001, he served as Minister of Water, Lands & the Environment. He was appointed Third Deputy Prime Minister in 2002, serving in that capacity until 2005 when he was appointed Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Public Service.
Maj. Gen. (rtd) Matayo Kyaligonza
Although currently serving in as a diplomat, the retired soldier is credited for the two successive elections of 1996 and 2001. He was a Constituent Assembly (CA) delegate for Buhaguzi County in Hoima and this alone made him popular. He used the CA networks to solicit for votes for Mr Museveni.
Moses Byaruhanga.
He is not an overt politician but a powerful presidential aide in State House; Mr Byaruhanga is a senior Presidential aide in charge of political mobilization and is credited for most of the smooth operations that have seen influential opposition gurus abandon opposition parties for the ruling party. He is partly credited for delivering Eastern and Northern regions to NRM as they had previously voted against the regime. He hails from Hoima Municipality but his skills in mobilizing go beyond his home area and this explains why he is still key in Mr Museveni’s kitchen. He is popularly remembered for mobilizing chairmen LC 3 at Kyakwanzi in 2003 that mooted the idea of amending the Constitution to give Mr Museveni a third term.
Beatrice Nyakaisiki.
She is the chairperson of the Immigration Board and formerly Hoima district Woman Member of Parliament and was instrumental in canvassing for NRM votes in Bunyoro sub-region at time when Dr. Kizza Besigye was starting to make inroads in the area during 2001 general elections.
Dr Kasirivu Atwooki.
He is from Bugangaizi County and former State Minister for Lands; he did campaign for Mr Museveni and NRM in the region in 2001 and thereafter was named to cabinet for a job well done. Although he lost the subsequent elections of 2006, he did make a comeback in the house as a back bencher.
Greater Rwenzori sub-region
Tooro
Brig.Noble Mayombo.
Although not formally in politics, Brig. Mayombo was a politician in the making and hailed from Buyangabu County in Kabarole district. Mayombo was instrumental in making sure that NRM didn’t lose any election from grassroot to national in both elections in the whole of Tooro sub-region. He did recruit cadres for the system and that is how people like the current Minister of Presidency and Kampala, Frank Tumwebaze were identified.
Mayombo was chosen by President Museveni himself to CA as the 10th army representative after the Army Council failed to choose between Lt. Col. Jet Mwebaze and then Lieutenant Mayombo. Museveni instead chose Mayombo as the 10th army representative, he subsequently returned to the 6th Parliament as an army MP in 1996 after helping Museveni win the elections.
Maj.Tom Butime Rwakaikara
He hails from Mwenge County South in Kyejonjo district and has held several cabinet portfolios, which included Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs, among others. Col. Butime as he is known by his army rank did help in popularize the Museveni-Movement crusade in the area and this explains why Tooro remains Mr Museveni’s hotspot and hard for opposition to make inroads. Although disgruntled, Col. Tom Butime remains a cadre of the NRM party.
Adolf Mwesige
He is the Minister of Local Government and a legislator for Bunyangabu County in Kabarole. He has served as an MP for Bunyangabu since 1996 and therefore, he was instrumental in having Mr Museveni with both 1996 and 2001 elections.
Prof. Edward Rugumayo
As Minister Internal Affairs 1999 -2000 Prof Rugumayo used his skills as an elder in convincing fellow Batooro, to have Mr Museveni win 1996 elections against Paul Kawanga Ssemwogerere. In in1980, Tooro was considered to be Democratic Party stronghold and that was proven by the number of DP MPs that won the seats and therefore, this meant that without people like Prof. Rugumayo, it would have been easy for Ssemwogerere to register a win. Rugumayo did as well in 2001 help canvass for support for Mr Museveni after he was recalled from his diplomatic posting and sent to the Ministry of Internal Affairs as Minister.
Beatrice Kiraso
She is currently a Deputy Secretary General of The East African Community. She hails from Kabarole and was a Woman Member of Parliament for Kabarole district. She did mobilize for candidate Museveni in both 1996 and 2001.
Dora Byamukama
She represented Mwenge County South in the 6th Parliament and was vocal on legal matters. She did mobilize for NRM in Mwenge in 2001 and this can be demonstrated by the time she held that constituency. She is currently a member of the East African Legislative Assembly in Arusha Tanazania.
Col. Steven Basaliza. He is currently serving as a Commissioner with Uganda Human Rights Commission. He served in 6th Parliament as a representative of Burahaya County and did canvass support for Mr Museveni.
Kasese
Crispus Kiyonga.
He is referred to as ‘king’ of Kasese because of his influence in the politics of the area. He is currently Minister for Defence and legislator for Bukonzo County East in Kasese district. In Kasese, he is the party and the party is him. However, he did help Movement and Mr Museveni win both 1996 and 2001 in the district. Kiyonga’s popularity and that of NRM has dwindled hence giving room to the mushrooming opposition.
Maj. Gen. James Kazini
Gen Kazini hailed from Busongora County in Kasese district and he did help fight the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) that had caused chaos in the region. He did recruit cadres for the system and that is why people like the current Kasese district chairman Col Dura Mawa, were identified.
Buganda
Syda Bbumba
She was a member of Uganda Electoral Commission in 1996 prior to being elected to Parliament as the MP for Nakaseke County Luwero District. From 2002 until 2006, she was the Minister of Minerals before moving to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Affairs from 2006 until 2008. From February 18, 2009, until May 27, 2011, she served as the Minister of Finance, being the first woman to serve in that capacity in the history of the country. On February 16, 2012, she resigned from the cabinet, but retained her parliamentary seat. Due to her ministerial positions, she was very powerful and was very instrumental in canvassing support for President Museveni in Luwero Triangle especially amongst women.
Janat Mukwaya
When President Museveni came to power in 1986, he appointed Janat Mukwaya as the Director of Women Affairs in the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Services where she worked until 1990 before joining the Vice President’s office as the Principle Private Secretary. In 1995, Ms Mukwaya served as Minister for Luwero Triangle in the Office of the President, later moving to Gender, Labour and Social Development between 1996 and 2001.
She was appointed Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs before becoming Minister Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. With all these presidential appointments, Mukwaya, became very popular and played a pivotal role in Museveni’s campaign in both in 1996 and 2001in Luwero Triangle, where worked as minister and in Mukono where she hails from.
Moses Kigongo
Moses Kigongo has been the NRM vice chairperson since 1986 when President Museveni captured power. Kigongo met President Museveni in the bush and they have been close up now. In 1996, he worked tooth and nail to make sure President Museveni secures victory. In 2001 when Besigye proved a threat Kigongo, carried out serious mobilization campaign in Buganda to have Museveni retain his seat.
Dr Khidu Makubuya
Khidu Makubuya joined politics in 1988 but joined Parliament in 1996 when he was elected to represent the people of Katikamu South. He was later appointed Minister for Luwero Triangle under the Office of the President. He also served as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Minister Education and Sports. Makubuya also served as Attorney General from 2005 until when he became Minister for General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister. Perhaps these appointments were as a result of the role he played in the 1996 and 2001 elections.
Bidandi Ssali
In 1981, when Yoweri Museveni went to the bush, Bidandi did not go with him although he clandestinely offered assistance to NRA supporters who sought his help. When Museveni won the war, Bidandi worked with him in the new government, as Minister of Local Government, from 1989 until 2004. In 2004, he resigned from the Cabinet after disagreeing with Museveni over the latter’s desire to run for a third term as President. However when the two were still together, they were very good friends and Bidandi always played a big role in Museveni’s campaigns both in1996 and 2001.
Prof. Gilbert Bukenya
The former dean of Makerere University School of Medicine joined politics in 1996 when he was elected MP for Busiro North where. He was also the chairman of NRM in Buganda. He became state Minister for Trade before being elevated the post of Minister for Presidency. He later became Vice President replacing Specioza Kazibwe. Although they were to later to fall out; Bukenya was a great mobiliser for Museveni both in 1996 and 2001 in the Buganda region and beyond.
Sam Kahamba Kutesa
From 1973 until 2001 Sam Kutesa was in private law practice. He served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Mbarara North Constituency between 1980 until 1985 in then General Tito Okello Lutwa government. He served as Attorney General between 1985 and 1986. Between 1994 and 1995, he served as a delegate to the Constituent Assembly that drafted the 1995 Uganda Constitution. He was elected MP for Mawogola County in 2001 and was re-elected in 2006. When President Museveni appointed Sam Kutesa as Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2005, Kutesa had been State Minister for Investments and took over the Foreign Ministry following the death of James Wapakhabulo. Last year he was named UN General Assembly President and leaves this rotational post in October. Kutesa and Museveni have been close allies and Kutesa has always been a big factor in Museveni’s victory playing great role in Mawoogola.
Wilson Muruli Mukasa
A teacher by profession, Muruli joined politics and given his background, became a good mobiliser and was very instrumental in securing victory for Museveni in his home district of Nakasongola.
He is an MP representing Buruuli county and in a cabinet reshuffle on 1 March 2015, he was transferred to Gender, Children and Social Development, as Minister.
Dr. Samson Kisekka
Dr Kisekka was a spokesman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in September to December 1985 during the Nairobi Peace Talks between NRM and the then Uganda Government headed by Tito Okello Lutwa. Immediately after becoming president of Uganda in 1986 Yoweri Museveni appointed Dr. Kisekka the Prime Minister, a position he held for five years. He became Vice President 1991 and also served as a special presidential adviser until his retirement in 1994.
Even after his retirement Dr. Kisekka remained very relevant and because of his mobilization skills, was vital in aiding Museveni’s campaign in Bukomasimbi where he hails from.
Dr Kibirige SSebunya (RIP)
Having served as State Minister for Agriculture since 1999, Israel Kibirige Ssebunya was nominated by President Yoweri Museveni in May 2006, to be vetted by Parliament, for re-appointment to cabinet. He was re-appointed State Minister for Agriculture in 2006. He was one of the people that Museveni relied on in 1996 and 2001. He died in
Elgon sub-region
James Wapakhabulo
The late James Wapakhabulo(RIP) was a personal friend to President Museveni, the two having gone to Dar es salaam University. He contested in the constituent assembly elections but lost to former Obote II Chief Justice George Masika, but the President appointed him Chairman of Constituent Assembly. 1996 he became MP for Mbale Municipality and moved on to become the Speaker. He was later appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs, a position he held until 2004 when he died. He did a lot including drafting of the NRM manifesto in 1996 and 2001.
Wanjusi Wasieba
Wanjusi Wasieba joined politics in 1994 when he was elected a CA delegate representing Bubulo West. He was appointed State Minister for Works and became Member of Parliament in 1996 and remained Minister. He was vital in mobilizing support for President Musseveni in Bugisu which was predominantly UPC.
Simon Mulongo
Simon Mulongo came to the limelight when he represented Bubulo East in the Constituent Assembly. He contested for MP in 1996 but lost to Nabutala before he was appointed as RDC. He is a very popular figure and does a lot for mobilization for Museveni in Bugisu.
Michael Werikhe Kafabusa
He joined politics when he was elected Member of Parliament fo Bungokho South, a position he still holds up to now. He also served as State Minister for Works, State Minister for Energy and later State Minister for Housing. This gave him exposure and popularity in Bugisu, becoming a force to reckon on with. He always made sure Museveni’s victory in Bugisu is a must.
Tabu Maga
The late Tabu Maga was a wealthy businessman in Mbale dealing in meat, hides and skins. Because of his financial muscle he always boosted Museveni’s support in Mbale both in1996 and 2001. He also was involved in assaulting opposition activists in Mbale and Bugisu sub-region.
Beatrice Wabudeya
She became Woman Member of Parliament Mbale district in 1996, before going to Sironko in 2001 district woman seat, a position she held until 2011.She also served as Minister Gender and Cultural Affairs, State for Primary Health Care and later the Presidency. She played a remarkable role in mobilizing for Museveni in Sironko.
Samwiri Muyonga
He became the Manjiya Member of Parliament in 1996 , when he was defeated by David Wakikona in 2001. He was a key figure in garnering support for President Museveni in Manjiya in 1996.
Charles Walimbwa Peke
The current LC5 Chairman of Manafwa district, Charles Walimbwa came to the limelight when he replaced Wilson Wamimbi. With his position as the District NRM chairman, he did a great deal in mobilizing support for the President.
Maumbe Mukhwana
Maumbe Mukhwana is a personal friend to President Museveni and they met long before Museveni went to the bush in 1981. He served as Deputy Minister for Information after President Museveni assumed power in 1986. Given his war association with Museveni he has been a man to rely on in Bungokho County.
