Adventists hail Nantaba reappointment

Jun 27, 2016

The SDA church is grateful for the reappointment of former Lands Minister Idah Nantaba, who made an 'unexpected' comeback to cabinet as state minister for information and ICT.

As political, religious and social groups continue to lobby for cabinet inclusion, the Seventh Day Adventists (SDA) community may be sorted.

The SDA church is grateful for the reappointment of former Lands Minister Idah Nantaba, who made an 'unexpected' comeback to cabinet as state minister for information and ICT.

Nantaba was reappointed in the recent cabinet that saw over 30 old ministers axed. Nantaba, who is a woman Member of Parliament representing Kayunga district, is the only Seventh Day Adventist member of Uganda's cabinet.

During prayers on Saturday at Seventh Day Adventist Kampala Central Church (KCC), seven minutes were dedicated to pray for Nantaba for what the church pastor, Godfrey Lubwama called ''guidance of the Lord in her execution of her new ministerial duties''.

He also hailed Nantaba for the good work done as lands minister.

 inister idah antaba interacting with children after the church service Minister Aidah Nantaba interacting with children after the church service

 

''We are grateful to the president and you our minister for the good work you have done as Minister. We also thank you for representing Seventh Day Adventists in government'', Pastor Lubwama said before a congregation of about 700 worshippers.

Worshippers were happy about reappointment.

Magnifique Bill, a church member said: ''Thank God Nataba returned to cabinet, that's all I wanted''.

Nantaba's reappointment came as a surprise to some people, including herself. Since her appointment in 2011, Nantaba has embroiled herself in battles with many people she called big and well positioned people who grab land from the poor.

She made headlines when she called the president, turned the phone into loud speaker to connect the head of state with troubled Kayunga residents over land issues.

Crying in public, accusing local NRM leaders of witch-hunt has also characterized her five year political career.

Late last year, she lost NRM Kayinga Chairman race to her rival Moses Kalangwa, an election she contested citing massive vote rigging.  

She hastily announced she was quitting NRM.

It took police and NRM Vice Chairman, Moses Kigongo's efforts to calm the storm that was threatening the image and popularity of the ruling party in the district.

The series of events left Nantaba short of hopes of ever serving in Museveni's cabinet again.

''Bouncing back... I never expected it you are right. Many things happened up at top level in government'', she told me on Saturday, visibly smiling about her new cabinet job.
 
She shared the same feeling with the church and promised to serve in the new office, though non-ICT compliant as she described herself in her remarks before she knelt and bowed for blessings.

 

Nantaba advised the multitudes to always put God first and desist from any form of corruption before she rallied Adventists to join politics for what she said is a seed of transparency and faithfulness in them that could be used to fight corruption.

''I can tell you my time in the lands Ministry was not easy; I had to fight with land grabbers-rich people, sometimes ministers and big people in the army. But I am grateful to God that I stood for the truth. And for young people, always seek God in whatever office you may be posted. I have seen it in the lands Ministry where it takes a mere signature to give away Mulago land and one becomes a billionaire'', she said, adding ''I look forward to seeing you join politics. Don't sit back in your comfort, this country needs your services, the country needs your honesty there. The president is looking for the Nantabas, the Musisis, the Kaginas because of honesty. There is a seed in you please rise up,'' she said.

Politicians and experts attribute many challenges in the country to corruption that robs a big share from the coffers to stamp service delivery. Effort to fight it was a key score card in the NRM manifesto in the run up to last February presidential election.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});