50 Ugandans to watch in 2014 who is who

President Yoweri Museveni
In Uganda, every political and economic decision rotates around the President. He always rejects Parliament decisions taken without his blessings and government officials have to pilgrim to his country home in Rwakitura to secure approval. He maintains political allegiance through several forms, including patronage. As the country’s Fountain of Honour, he will definitely remain a top influence across the board this year.

Rebecca Kadaga
Many have described her as a pro- people Speaker who has breathed life in an erstwhile forsaken Legislature. Words like ‘presidential material’ come 2016 have also been used in describing her. This year, it is more likely that she will continue with her radical, and sometimes anti-NRM stand on controversial issues that will come in Parliament including electoral reforms.

Mugisha Muntu
By the close of last year, Mugisha Muntu had consolidated his leadership of FDC by wadding off most of the resistance from within the party, especially members loyal to the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Mr Nandala Mafabi.

The FDC leader will play a more robust role this year as the biggest opposition party reorganises itself to be more relevant towards a more intense political 2015—and eventually in 2016 when the country goes to the polls.

David Bahati
Although he is not very vocal (commenting on every issue) in the House, the Ndorwa West legislator can be referred to as a backroom cook. A deputy NRM Chief whip, he is a respected NRM Caucus strategist in Parliament. He is, most of the time, the brain behind the calming of NRM MPs and their sudden change in decisions and opinion on controversial issues— especially after caucus meetings.

Dr Kizza Besigye
Even after retiring from FDC presidency last year, Dr Besigye has remained an enigma in Ugandan politics, commanding support in towns across the country. As the party reorganises in preparation for 2016 polls, Besigye’s imposing political figure and views will continue to be influential in the party and country.

Amama Mbabazi
Throughout 2013, the Prime Minister was the man to beat in, especially, Parliament politics. His calmness, wit and political intelligence are the main weapons he uses consistently to dwarf attempts by the opposition to push through their interests. Although worrywarts are predicting his fallout with the President, either way the coin flips, Mbabazi is going to remain a discreet but highly proficient and influential figure in this year’s political scene.

Nandala Mafabi
Mafabi’s political influence dates back prior to being the Leader of Opposition in Parliament. His leadership in Parliament has been criticised by his opponents. Even if he is moved from being Leader of Opposition, as is most likely, Mafabi has the potential to exceptionally perform in any position and will remain relevant in and outside Parliament this year.

Sam Kutesa

Money always determines a politician’s political and socio-economic influence. Sam Kutesa is one of the wealthiest politicians in Uganda and is one of President Museveni’s most trusted government officials, besides being the President’s in-law. Kutesa is also the president-elect of the UN General Assembly, a post he is taking starting this year.

The ‘rebellious’ four (Theodore Ssekikubo, Wilfred Niwagaba, Barnabas Tinkasiimire and Muhammad Nsereko) (Politics)
The ‘rebellious’ four have been a hot item on the political menu for the last two years. They still have a case in court, which is most likely to be decided this year. Either way the ruling goes, the four will maintain their positions on the political menu. If election reforms are tabled in the House, the quartet are expected to play a central role during the debate, just as they did during the oil debates.

The security trio [Col Ronnie Balya (ISO), Robert Masolo (ESO), Brig Charles Bakahumura (CMI)]
The three men were in a tight corner last year because of what many in the security circle consider as a mischievous way in which they handled the David Sejusa issue. Both Robert Masolo and Col Balya have previously impressed the President and he thus gave them the most prestigious award of Nalubaale for great service rendered to the nation. For Masolo, he is the longest serving ESO boss since the creation of the agency. As the New Year starts, the three, including CMI’s Bakahumura, are the men to watch, especially on how they will handle more complex intelligence matters— that is in case they remain in their current positions.

Erias Lukwago
The Kampala Lord Mayor will be a hot item this year mainly because of his continued disagreements at KCCA, especially fighting off the impeachment albatross. His political ideology combining both populist and technocratic elements makes him a darling of many. How he will continue to play in the murky waters of KCCA politics makes him a politician to watch this year.

Medard Ssegona
He is one of the few floor leaders in Parliament on the opposition side. A firsttimer in the House, Ssegona has increasingly kept himself relevant in the House and is very influential, especially when it comes to debating Bills and making laws. His influence keeps growing each passing year.

Steven Tashobya
He chairs the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee. This committee will be handling the electoral reforms Bills in case they are tabled. The same committee handled the Anti-Pornographic Bill and the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. He is a man to watch, especially on how he will handle the controversial Bills that will go to his committee.

Lumumba Kasule
She is the Chief Whip of NRM, the largest party in the House. In the House, she comes off as a fierce fighter who does not leave any chance to the opposition. She is a trusted party cadre whose mobilisation and fighting spirit will come in handy during the electoral reforms debates and any Bills or policies that come for debate this year.

Jacob Oulanyah
He remains NRM’s trusted hangman, especially in times when Kadaga proves unrelenting on issues where the President has interest. He remains a deputy Speaker to watch as the country moves towards making electoral reforms and general elections.

Sarah Mulwana
She is a widow of entrepreneur James Mulwana. Despite the death of her husband, Sarah has steadily kept the business empire afloat. 2014 is a year to watch how she takes the business empire it to another level.

Fox Odoi
He chairs the Rules and Privileges Committee in the Parliament. He has chaired many controversial cases, including one on contempt of Parliament by Premier Mbabazi- whose report was never tabled in the House. His committee recommended the jettisoning of Gen David Sejusa from Parliament. He is a man to watch on how he will handle more discipline-related cases in the House this year.

Kale Kayihura
As the Inspector General of Police, he has been at the helm of police quelling civil unrest in the country and the President has applauded him for it. For as long as Kayihura remains in that position, coupled with the trust he commands from the President on security matters, he remains a man to watch.

Aly-Khan Mukwano
He has successfully overseen the growth of his father’s empire (Mukwano Group of Companies) with new additions like the mega multi- billion dollars mall at Kisementi. He continues to impact on the livelihood of sunflower farmers in northern Uganda.

Salim Saleh
He is the younger brother to the President and a power broker. He is currently the senior presidential adviser on military affairs. Despite retiring from the army a decade ago, Saleh still holds sway on military matters.

Allen Kagina
The chief tax collector’s influence does not stop at collecting taxes but extends to influencing the country’s budgeting process. She, together with others, knows what to tax and what not to tax. Through her, URA had adopted a stringent tax collection policy that has seen the resource envelope grow from about Shs4 trillion to Shs11 trillion in about two decades.

Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile
He is the Governor Bank of Uganda, and therefore, the stability of the economy will depend on how he handles the country’s resource purse.

Keith Muhakanizi
He is the Secretary to the Treasury and the custodian of Uganda’s economy. How he plays his cards will have a lasting effect on the performance and growth of the country’s economy.

Aronda Nyakairima
He is the Minister for Internal Affairs and former Chief of Defence Forces. Recently, his appointment as a minister without retiring from the army caused a storm in Parliament against the Executive. However, ever since assuming the Internal Affairs docket, Gen Nyakairima has proposed a raft of radical policies, including the training of all immigration officers in intelligence gathering and taking police officers for political education, among others.

Cyprian Lwanga

He is the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese—one of the most populous Catholic archdioceses in Uganda. He is one of the few religious activists with a bias to politics. He has on several occasions called for reforms pointing out governance errors and misdeeds. With the debate on political reforms expected to come up this year, Lwanga is expected to make his thoughts known as well as influence decisions of a number of Ugandans.

Rhema Namakula
Her stage name is Rema Hers was a burst onto the music scene, coming out with hit after hit in 2012. And since then, she has not looked back with a mega do at the recently launched Akaliba Concert. Since parting ways with her mentor - Bebe Cool, she has released a plethora of songs. Currently she is weaving out a new album with songs like muchuzi to be launched soon.

Lt Gen Charles Angina
He is the deputy Chief of Defence Forces and by the nature of his job, he remains influential in Uganda’s security circles.

Pius Bigirimana
Mr Bigirimana was in the news last year for all the wrong reasons. Now the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender, focus will be on him on how he implements the Youth Livelihood Programme that kicks off this year. The government has pumped billions of shillings in the programme that seeks to empower youth. Its success will be a key factor in Mr Museveni’s 2016 youth vote.

Kabaka Mutebi

By the mere fact that he is the king of the most populous kingdom, Kabaka Mutebi will stay influential both in Buganda and Uganda as a country.

Moses Kigongo
Mr Kigongo will remain a silent power broker amongst his fellow Muslims and within corridors of power. Though he holds no formal job description, the man from Butambala is the last resort for President Museveni when he is faced with challenges, especially from the Muslim community and traders. He also plays a key role as conflict resolver within the NRM. Recently, it was alleged that the government softened its stance against Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago after counsel from Mr Kigongo.

David Muhoozi
He is the Chief of Staff of the UPDF Land Forces. He is part of a crop of young professional soldiers referred to as independent thinkers. He is said to be cool headed and a nationalist.

Augustus Nuwagaba
Prof Nuwagaba is a Makerere University don and a researcher. His on-going research on sanitation for slum dwellers is highly expected to turn around the hygiene question in such places.

Hassan Bassajjabalaba
He remains a key figure in business and education. He owns Kampala International University. Mr Basajjabalaba is likely to influence 2014 depending on how his compensation claims by government will be handled. However, as the 2016, the election year draws near, Mr Basajjabalaba will be key as far as resource mobilisation for the NRM is concerned since he is the chair for the party’s Entrepreneurs’ League.

Jose Chameleone
Currently, he is one of Uganda’s best afro beat and reggae stars releasing hit after hit. Recently he was appointed a UN ambassador in DR Congo. The Badilisha sensational and award winning musician will no doubt roll more songs this year.

Janet Museveni
She is the First Lady, minister for Karamoja Affairs and Member of Parliament representing Ruhama County. She is said to be a power broker and is credited for helping to churn out development policies in the Karamoja sub-region.

Muhoozi Kainerugaba

He is the First Son and the commander of the Elite Special Forces of the UPDF. He has risen through the ranks, graduating to a Brigadier. Ugandans are keen debating the First Son’s prospects with many seeing him as a power broker, given his closeness to the seat of power. He wields influence in the military and is said to have unlimited access to the President. Stories are told of how those in need of seeing the President bench his office for help.

Moses Kigongo
Mr Kigongo will remain a silent power broker amongst his fellow Muslims and within corridors of power. Though he holds no formal job description, the man from Butambala is the last resort for President Museveni when he is faced with challenges, especially from the Muslim community and traders. He also plays a key role as conflict resolver within the NRM. Recently, it was alleged that the government softened its stance against Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago after counsel from Mr Kigongo.

Katumba Wamala
He is the Chief of Defence Forces and it is said he wields a lot of power in the military. He is also a Member of Parliament representing the Army. Gen Katumba is a commercial farmer with a range of exploits in the agriculture sector.

Charles Mayiga

He is the Katikkiro of Buganda, charged with the day-to-day running of the kingdom affairs on behalf of the Kabaka. Mayiga’s initiative of liberating Buganda economically has so far received approval among Ugandans. Many people admire him for his flamboyance, but critics say he displays bits of arrogance characterised by political jargons and innuendos.

Kahinda Otafiire

He is the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs and a member of the Military High Command. He is also a Member of Parliament for Ruhinda County in Mitooma District. However, Gen Otafiire continues to be a vocal critic and open-minded person within the NRM and the government. Otafiire will not hesitate to criticise wrongs committed by the government, something he is credited for.

Irene Ntale
Ntale, 24, is one of the latest top up-coming musicians. Signed with Swangz Avenue, she became popular last year with her hit single, “If You Stay With Me” that won her a considerable fan base. She has also been picked as a youth and societal empowerment ambassador for Reach a Hand, and Twaweza, both non-government organisations, where she will be preaching and inspiring secondary and university students on issues of corruption, human rights and economic empowerment.

Garuga Musinguzi
He is an entrepreneur with investments in tea manufacturing and he is a known hotelier. Musinguzi also owns an airstrip in Kanungu District. And his role in commercial agriculture has helped subsidise government policy to promote food security.