President Yoweri Museveni has appointed former Vice President Professor Gilbert Balibaseka Bukenya as his Senior Presidential Advisor on Environment and Sanitation.
The appointment was confirmed in a statement released by the State House on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, through the Presidential Press Unit (PPU).
“The Presidential Press Unit (PPU) wishes to inform the general public that H.E. the President of the Republic of Uganda, Gen. (Rtd.) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed H.E. Prof. Gilbert Bukenya as the Senior Presidential Advisor on Environment and Sanitation,” the statement read.
Bukenya, 75, a retired Ugandan politician served as the seventh vice president of Uganda from May 23, 2003, until May 23, 2011.
He also represented the constituency of Busiro County North in the Ugandan Parliament from 1996 until 2003 when he became Vice President, replacing Specioza Wandera Kazibwe.
In 2011, Bukenya stood for the post of Secretary General of the NRM but unfortunately lost to Amama Mbabazi.
In May 2011, he was replaced as Vice President of Uganda with Edward Ssekandi.
Bukenya’s surprise appointment as Museveni’s Senior Presidential Advisor comes against the backdrop of an impending cabinet reshuffle which has been making rounds in recent months.
The former Vice President and Bukoto Constituency legislator has in recent times been an ever-show at various state functions, and this perhaps explains why the President probably offered him the juicy role.
Mr Museveni has been appointing former Cabinet Ministers and Vice Presidents government officials as his Senior Presidential advisors, as the position attracts the benefits of a cabinet minister.