Anywar's journey from FDC firebrand to Museveni's minister

From shadow environment minister, Beatrice Anywar has been elevated to State Minister of Environment in Saturday's Cabinet reshuffle by President Yoweri Museveni.

Anywar formerly an FDC diehard joined elective politics, in 2006 when she competed for the Kitgum Municipality parliamentary seat and won it.

During her first term in Parliament, she was appointed a shadow minister for the environment.

To many, she served her docket well, when as shadow minister, she led popular protests against the government proposal to sell part of Mabira Forest to a sugar-growing company. The proposal was then dropped.

Beatrice Anywar (left) who was the Reform Agenda secretary for labour and employment during a press conference at the pressure group's office in Kamwokya in December 2003. File Photo

Anywar (centre) during a Reform Agenda press briefing in April 2006 flanked by Joyce Sebugwawo and Nandala Mafabi. File Photo

Anywar welcomes Olara Otunnu to Kitgum Boma ground in January 2005. File Photo

Anywar pictured after her swearing in ceremony at Parliament in 2006. File Photo

Since then she has been a committed environmental activist and now comes in at a time when there is another environmental outcry about the destruction of Murchison Falls.

Time will tell if Anywar will oppose the government on its plans to build a hydropower dam at Murchison Falls and tackle the destruction of wetlands and forests like Bugoma.

Akright Estates managing director Anatoli Kamugisha hands over a house to Anywar. File Photo

Anywar with FDC president Kiiza Besigye during the handover at Kakungulu Akright Project. File Photo

Anywar gestures from behind bars after being arrested during a protest against the giveaway of Mabira Forest land in April 2007. File Photo

Between 2006 and 2015, Anywar was one of the strongest leaders in FDC, until 2016 parliamentary elections when she lost FDC primaries.

Her fallout with FDC began when the FDC party accused Anywar of supporting presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi's candidature and openly defying FDC decision to back Dr Kizza Besigye as the party flag bearer.

Anywar walks ahead of Kiiza Besigye's motorcade before a rally in Kitgum in May 2007. File Photo

Anywar with FDC spokesperson Toterebuka Bamwenda during a press briefing in June 2009. File Photo

Anywar receives an award from US Ambassador Jerry P. Lanier for her advocacy which led the government to cancelling its plans concerning Mabira Forest. File Photo

Subsequently, the party backed another candidate in the Kitgum Municipality.

Feeling cheated Anywar ran as an independent political candidate and won the parliamentary seat, with a comfortable margin, beating several high profile opponents.

Anywar clashed with Policemen as she was being put into a car at Kajjansi Police Station before being driven to Entebbe Magistrates Court in April 2011. File Photo

Anywar with and MP John Ken Lukyamuzi (right) addressing the media on Mabira Forest at Parliament in January 2013.

To show her dissatisfaction with FDC, in December 2017, during the parliamentary vote to remove presidential age limits, Anywar voted to have it removed to the disappointment of opposition politicians.

In the same year 2017 Anywar, also known as ‘Mama Mabira' said she is ready to work in President Yoweri Museveni's government if appointed minister.

Anywar celebrates with her supporters after her win in the February 2011 elections. File Photo

"Any minute there is an opportunity, I will go to President Museveni with no regret. He is a great leader because he is tolerant. He is able to listen to some of us," Anywar said.

Anywar hailed Museveni for his leadership and tolerance.

Anywar arriving for the swearing in ceremony at Parliament in May 2011. File Photo

Anywar returns money that legislators were given under the constituency monitoring development plan in January 2011. File Photo

 "I will work with him pakalast, because my people want services. I cannot get services from Kizza Besigye, Amama Mbabazi or any other," Anywar

Anywar who is formerly a member of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), represents Kitgum Municipality in the tenth parliament.

Former Vice President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya hugs Anywar at the Court of Appeal in July 2011. File Photo

Anywar shares a light moment with Crispus Kiyonga in October 2011. File Photo

Nandala Mafabi chats with Anywar during a break from a meeting that was convened to select leaders in the 9th Parliament at the FDC headquarters in May 2011. File Photo

Her appointment may not be a surprise given the fact that recently she expressed her interest in joining the ruling party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

With this background, one may say that Anywar will be ideal to serve her new appointment.

Anywar is sworn in at Parliament for another term in May 2016. File Photo

A teary Anywar flanked by MP Odonga Otto and the father of Kenneth Akena (left) who was shot dead, following a court hearing in October 2017. File Photo

President Yoweri Museveni pictured with Anywar in March 2019. File Photo