It was simply God’s plan, says Anite

Kampala- The images of Ms Evelyn Anite, the Northern Uganda Youth MP, kneeling urging President Museveni to seek reelection in 2016 are still fresh.

During NRM retreat at Kyankwanzi in February last year, Ms Anite mooted the proposal that could hand President Museveni another term in office and that was bound to change her fortunes permanently.

Ms Anite is now minister of state for Youth Affairs and Children. Given the foregoing, her appointment is interpreted as a reward for urging the President, who has been in power since 1986, to stand again.

“No!”, the Mass Communication graduate told Daily Monitor yesterday. “It’s God’s plan. It was not a reward for what I did in Kyankwanzi; it was simply God’s plan although myself I did see it coming,” she argued.
Ms Anite said her move in Kyankwanzi was drawn from the belief she had that President Museveni “still has value to add to this country”.

The 30-year-old emerged in 2011 and made it to Parliament as one the youngest legislators. She explained her role would be to transform the youth.

On the other hand, Ndorwa East MP David Bahati, who was named state minister for Planning, is remembered for his spirited fight indefending the Anti-Homosexuality law which court later struck down.

Mr Bahati is also vice chairman of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus.

Although he declined to comment on his game plan of how he will deal with development partners, Mr Bahati said the appointment was simply a great opportunity to serve NRM.
“It is great opportunity and responsibility to ensure that we continue to lift Uganda from the subsistence to middle income economy,” he said.

Other ministers speak out
Mary Karooro Okurut, who has previously served as minister of Information and minister of Gender respectively, and is now in the Security docket, said: “I am happy to serve where the President deems me fit to serve and he has his reasons. I am a peace loving person so I hope this is what I will carry to my new office.”
Prof Tokodri Tagboa: The 65-year-old engineering scientist was appointed Minister of State for Higher Education, Science and Technology: “What it is not shocking is that at one time the university in one of our research proposals to Parliament to bolster science in this country. We had suggested such an independent ministry but what is shocking is that you are telling me I have been named to head that ministry,” he said.

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