President Museveni drops Amama Mbabazi as Prime Minister
Uganda President Yoweri Museveni. He called on people to stop shaking hands as the country works to contain the Ebola-like Marburg virus, which has killed one person. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has dropped Amama Mbabazi as prime minister in a Cabinet reshuffle, appointing Dr Ruhakana Rugunda to replace him.
Mr Mbabazi, who is the MP for Kinkiizi West, has been the prime minister since June 2011.
In a letter written to the Speaker of the Uganda parliament, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, President Museveni said Dr Rugunda, who was the health minister, would replace Mr Mbabazi.
“By virtue of the powers vested in the president of the Republic of Uganda by article 108A(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, I have with immediate effect decided to appoint Dr Ruhakana Rugunda as the new Prime Minister of Uganda,” the September 18, 2014 letter reads.
“I therefore hereby forward the names and curriculum vitae of Dr Ruhakana Rugunda to you for the required parliamentary approval. I thank the Rt Hon Amama Mbabazi for the contribution he has made to this country,” the letter said.
The Uganda Media Centre boss, Mr Ofwono Opondo, confirmed the development and said the reshuffle only affects the position of prime minister.
Mr Ofwono further said that the minister of state for health, Dr Elioda Tumwesigye, would replace Dr Rugunda as the acting health minister.
