Ruhakana Rugunda | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Rugunda at theWorld Trade Organization Ministerial Conference of 2015 | |
| Prime Minister of Uganda | |
| In office 18 September 2014 – 21 June 2021 | |
| President | Yoweri Museveni |
| Deputy | Moses Ali Kirunda Kivejinja |
| Preceded by | Amama Mbabazi |
| Succeeded by | Robinah Nabbanja |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1947-11-07)7 November 1947 (age 78) |
| Political party | National Resistance Movement |
| Spouse | Jocelyn Rugunda |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | Makerere University University of Zambia University of California, Berkeley |
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Ruhakana Rugunda (born 7 November 1947) is aUgandan physician and politician who wasPrime Minister of Uganda from 2014 to 2021. He held a long series of cabinet posts under PresidentYoweri Museveni beginning in 1986. He served as Uganda's Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 1996, and Minister of Internal Affairs from 2003 to 2009. Subsequently, he was Permanent Representative to theUnited Nations from 2009 to 2011 and Minister of Health from 2013 to 2014.[1]
He was appointed as Prime Minister on 18 September 2014 to 21 June 2021. He replacedAmama Mbabazi, who was dropped from theCabinet.[2]
Rugunda was born inKabale District on 7 November 1947. As a young boy, he would often sit and read the newspapers to his father Surumani Rugunda, and it is these experiences at an early age that sparked his later interest in politics. Rugunda attendedKigezi High School andBusoga College Mwiri where he served as head prefect, before joining theMakerere University Medical School and later theUniversity of Zambia where he studied medicine, graduating aBachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. He later studied at theUniversity of California, Berkeley and obtained aMaster of Science in public health.[1][3]
Before joining Ugandan politics, Rugunda worked asmedical officer inZambia, as a physician at theDistrict of Columbia General Hospital inWashington, D. C., and atKenyatta National Hospital inNairobi, Kenya.[1][3]
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While attending Makerere University in Uganda, Rugunda, commonly referred to as "Ndugu" (Swahili for "brother") by friends, served as President of the National Union of Students of Uganda (NUSU), a political youth movement.[4] As a young political activist, Rugunda was part of the Uganda People's Congress (UPC) and was said to be close to PresidentApollo Milton Obote. In one of the last interviews before his death, Obote lamented as to why the brilliant Rugunda had gotten himself entangled withYoweri Museveni and theNational Resistance Movement. Rugunda was one of a few who had been seen by Obote as future leaders of the party and country.[4]
In 1985 he met with the leaders of theUgandanNational Resistance Movement (NRM) at the inn "Zum grünen Jäger" in Unterolberndorf, Austria, for a conspirative conference to elaborate a political programme for the liberatedUganda. After Museveni took power in 1986, Rugunda held a long series of Cabinet posts: he was Minister of Health from 1986 to 1988, Minister of Works, Transport and Communication from 1988 to 1994, Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 1996, Minister of Information from 1996 to 1998, Minister at the Presidency from 1998 to 2001, Minister of Water, Lands and Environment from 2001 to 2003, and Minister of Internal Affairs from 2003 to 2009.[1][2]
He also served as Chairman of the NRM Electoral Commission, asMember of Parliament for Kabale Municipality, and asPresident of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). In July 2006, Rugunda led a Ugandan government negotiating team toJuba to hold peace talks with theLord's Resistance Army.[5][6]
In January 2009, he was appointed as Uganda's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. At the same time, the position was elevated to Cabinet Ministerial level in Uganda. He twice served as thePresident of the Security Council in July 2009 and in October 2010 during Uganda's two-year stint on theSecurity Council.[7]
In the cabinet reshuffle of 27 May 2011, he was instead appointed as Minister of Information and Communication Technology. In May 2013, he was moved to the post of Minister of Health, replacingChristine Ondoa, who became an advisor to thePresident of Uganda on public health matters.[1]
Rugunda was appointed as Prime Minister on 18 September 2014.[1][2]
Rugunda is married to Jocelyn Rugunda and they are the parents of four sons. He enjoysreading,playing tennis andchess in his spare time.[3]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Prime Minister of Uganda 2014–2020 | Succeeded by |
