Maria Mutagamba, Bukenya take oath

By Grace Matsiko Former Democratic Party Secretary General Maria Mutagamba and Busiro South Member of Parliament Prof. Gilbert Bukenya were last evening sworn-in as state ministers. Mutagamba was sworn in as state minister for water, lands and environment in-charge of water while Bukenya took oath as the new minister of state for trade, industry and tourism in-charge of trade. President Yoweri Museveni presided over the swearing-in ceremony at State House, Nakasero. Vice-president Specioza Kazibwe read out the names of Bukenya and Mutagamba before top officials who included Prime Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, First Deputy Prime Minister Eriya Kategaya and Presidency minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda. Mutagamba and her husband Tarcisius Mathew Mutagamba arrived late after Museveni had taken his seat while Bukenya, his wife Margaret and daughter Georgina, arrived before the function began. Mutagamba replaced Othieno Akika who resigned after assaulting a policeman in Tororo a few months ago. Bukenya, who read the oath of allegiance as minister, shook hands with the President but the audience did not applaud, forcing him to ask in Luganda, "Nggatemukubye mmungalo" meaning "Why didn't you clap?" causing laughter. Museveni said Mutagamba's lateness reminded him of the enmity between the Bakooki, her ancestors, and the Banyankole. He said the rivalry between Kooki king Ishasha and Tambuka, an Ankole chief with protruding teeth, led to an invasion in which the latter was killed. "I can see enmity does not die," Museveni said. Kazibwe read Bukenya's other name as Baliseka, but Museveni said "it is Balibaseka not Baliseka." Ends.