I woke up to a shocking SMS last Tuesday. It read “Aggrey Awori
appointed ICT minister.” The baritone voiced, jolly Ham Mukasa Mulira who has been at the helm of the ministry and also a good ICT ambassador for years has been thrown out.
His replacement is a political prostitute who crossed from a dying party, contested and lost (of course – to his appointer) that he had critiqued for more than 20 years. Made empty promises that he never fulfilled. And low and behold! What is he given as a gift for his “wise” decision – the ministry of ICT! It is only in Uganda where ministries are given as presents to defecting politicians!
It is only in Uganda where the president appoints his wife as a minister. On top of being a First Lady, she is also a member of parliament and now a minister courtesy of her husband! This happens only in our banana state. Imagine if Clinton appointed Hillary as Secretary of something or if she had contested for senate during his tenure! This happens in Uganda and everyone shuts up because no one wants to anger the big guy!
Only in Uganda where the public votes one as the worst performing minister and he still retains his position after a cabinet reshuffle. Despite the alarming road accidents to the extent that a local daily – Bukkedde – has enough accident stories to make front page headlines daily! And he is retained as Minister for Transport Works and Industry! This only happens in the beautiful pear of Africa!
Only in Uganda where Dr. Ezra Suruma, a schooled economist is dropped from the Ministry of Finance and the post is given to a woman who holds a Bachelors of Commerce (Accounting), Diploma in Financial Planning & Control , A Certificate in Banking and a Certificate in Internal Trade. Don’t be misled. She is not applying for a job as bank teller – In Uganda, Syda Bbumba has been appointed Minister of Finance!
I suggest we have a signpost at the airport reading
Welcome to Uganda where the First Lady is also a member of parliament
and a minister, where ministries are given as presents to party defectors, qualified ministers are dropped in favour of sycophants and worst performers stay in the same position for donkey years
Winston Church Hill called it the Pearl of Africa. The guy might be shifting in his grave!
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Only in Uganda does the president choose his cabinet by playing ‘Eenie Meenie Miny Mo.’
That Winston Churchill guy was surely speaking about the physical beauty, not the politics of Uganda, no? But even then, what with the wanton desecration of forests, enroachment on wetlands, pollution of lakes and rivers, he’s making some real noise down there.