Gilbert Bukenya was born on 5 August 1949, in the village of Lwantama in Kakiri sub-county, in Busiro County, in present-day Wakiso District.
Gilbert Balibaseka Bukenya swearing in at Parliament, 16.05.11
He attended St. Savio Primary School, Kisubi, St. Mary's College Kisubi, St. Edward Secondary School, Bukuumi and Old Kampala Secondary School. He later joined Makerere University School of Medicine in 1971, graduating in 1976 with the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB).
NRM's Busiro South MP Gilbert Bukenya campains 24.01.11
He worked as a Medical Officer at Mbale Hospital up to 1982 when he left Uganda for Papua New Guinea. He obtained a Diploma in Public Health from the Royal Institute of Public Health, in London, in 1982.
Museveni visits Vice President, Gilbert Bukenya's residence 15.02.07
He also attained the degrees of Master of Science (MSc) from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine UK, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the University of Queensland, with a thesis topic of The Epidemiology of Under-Five Childhood Diarrhoeas in a peri-urban population of Papua New Guinea.
Vice President, Gilbert Bukenya chats with Naddangira Catholic Parish chief priest Father Aloysius Muwanga shortly after the Palm Sunday prayers April 17. 2011
Gilbert Bukenya returned to Uganda as a Professor of Medicine and was appointed dean of Makerere University School of Medicine, a position he held from 1994 until 1996.
President Yoweri Museveni greets Vice President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya and NRM Secretary General, Amama Mbabazi (right) on arrival at Namboole
In 1996, he was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Busiro North constituency. He also served as chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) parliamentary caucus.
Prof. Gilbert Bukenya & his Wife
He was chairman of the NRM in the Buganda region. Bukenya subsequently became Minister of State for Trade and Industry before being elevated to the post of Minister of the Presidency.
Vice President Gilbert Bukenya casts his vote
He became Vice President in 2003 replacing Specioza Kazibwe. He later contested for the post of Secretary General of the NRM and lost to Amama Mbabazi. In May 2011, he was replaced as Vice President of Uganda by Edward Ssekandi.
Gilbert Bukenya consulting with a lady
He is credited with the introduction of the cultivation of upland rice, also known as NERICA in Uganda.
VP Gilbert Bukenya planting yellow beans at his farm
2003 -2011: Vice President of Uganda
2001-2003: Minister in Charge of the Presidency
2000-2001: Minister of State for Trade
1996: Member of the Parliament for Busiro North constituency
1995-1996: Dean of the Makerere University School of Medicine
1991-1995: Director Makerere University Institute of Public Health
(L-R) Former VP Gilbert Bukenya & VP elect Edward Sekandi