Ebitu succeeds Bigirimana at gender ministry

The handpicked caretaker permanent secretary in the ministry of gender, labour and social development has pledged to champion Pius Bigirimana's ‘people-service first' philosophy.  

James Ebitu made the vow on Sunday, as Bigirimana handed over the reins to him at the ministry's head office in Kampala.

On Friday, President Yoweri Museveni appointed Bigirimana the Judiciary's permanent secretary with immediate effect. 

The President instructed Bigirimana to select a caretaker, which resulted in the picking of Ebitu who was the director, social protection. 

In his maiden speech, Ebitu commended the appointing authority for giving him the opportunity to serve until a substantive permanent secretary is named. 

"You (Bigirimana) have taken the time to mentor me for five years. It was a surprise when we heard that you had been shifted but you have always told us to be ready for challenges," said Ebitu. 

Who is Ebitu?

The trained economist served as the national programme manager of the Youth Livelihood Programme. 

Ebitu also served as the livelihood specialist in the World Bank-funded Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF). He was also Katakwi district planner/principal economist.

He is also a consultant for the World Bank on youth employment. Ebitu has coordinated planning function and policy formulation processes in several government institutions.

He offered technical assistance to the second Tanzania Social Action Fund and the Liberia Youth Employment Programme.

Ebitu was part of the core design teams for several social protection programmes, including the second and third NUSAF programmes.

He is an alumnus of Teso College Aloet, Makerere University, Harvard University, and the Harvard John Kennedy School of Government.