Nsibambi Back As PM

By John Kakande PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has re-appointed Prof. Apolo Nsibambi Prime Minister. Museveni made the announcement at State House Nakasero yesterday morning immediately after the Vice-President, Dr Speciosa Wandira Kazibwe, Nsibambi and Attorney General Francis Ayume were sworn-in. Nsibambi has been Prime Minister since April 1999. Museveni said Nsibambi was nominated and sworn in as minister because the post of the Prime Minister was not mentioned in the Constitution. He said he was informed that he had the discretion to appoint a Prime Minister if he deemed it necessary. "I have deemed it fit. You will be Prime among the ministers. There is more or less no change," a jovial Museveni told Nsibambi. The swearing-in ceremony that lasted about 30 minutes was attended by the Speaker of Parliament Edward Ssekandi, Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki, deputy Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, National Political Commissar James Wapakhabulo and several outgoing ministers. Nsibambi was accompanied by his wife Rhoda. The Vice-President's husband, Engineer Kazibwe was conspicuously absent. Asked by a reporter whether she was up to the job, Kazibwe said, "Certainly, there is no question about it." Kazibwe said her responsibility was to ensure the welfare of all Ugandans. She said she would devote all her energy to the job. "I am married to it," she said. Nsibambi told The New Vision that he would serve diligently and foster teamwork, with the guidance and help of his wife who he said was his "adviser and political barometer." Nsibambi said political leaders "need advisers who are not paid." Ends