Parliament to approve Rugunda’s appointment today

Parliament is this afternoon expected to approve Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda as the new prime minister.
Dr Rugunda, one of the youth that were constantly referred to as “leaders of tomorrow” in the 1960s was the man who President Yoweri Museveni appointed Prime Minister last Friday replacing Mr Amama Mbabazi.
Rugunda has been the health Minister and yet to be replaced.
Under Article 108 A (1) of the constitution, a presidential appointee for the docket of prime Minister requires a simple majority vote from the whole house for approval.

“The office of Prime Minister becomes vacant if he or she is removed by the President or on resignation or death or if he or she becomes disqualified as Member of Parliament,” reads part of the article.
In a letter written to the speaker of parliament, Ms Rebecca Kadaga and copied to Head of Public Service, Secretary to Cabinet and Mr Amama Mbabazi, President Museveni asked parliament to approve Dr Rugunda’s appointment.
“By virtue of the powers vested in the president of the Republic of Uganda by article 108A(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, I have with immediate effect decided to appoint Dr Ruhakana Rugunda as the new Prime Minister of Uganda,” the September 18, 2014 letter reads in part.
“I therefore hereby forward the names and curriculum vitae of Dr Ruhakana Rugunda to you for the required parliamentary approval. I thank the Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi for the contribution he has made to this country,” the letter further reads.

Born November 7, 1947 in Kabale District, Dr Rugunda’s raise to national politics was in the 60s while a student activist at Busoga College Mwiri where he was head prefect and later Makerere University, where he was president of Nusu, a political youth group. Nusu was a formidable conduit for President Obote’s UPC political aspirations, not only at university but in the countryside too.
[email protected]