Muruli Mukasa new Kampala minister
Minister Muruli Mukasa says he is ready to serve. PHOTO BY Geoffrey Sseruyange
What you need to know:
Since there is no minister without portfolio, he has also been delegated to double as Minister for the Presidency.
KAMPALA/NAKASONGOLA
President Museveni has appointed Security Minister Wilson Muruli Mukasa to act as Minister for the Presidency and in Charge of Kampala City.
The minister told supporters in his Budyebo County constituency in Nakasongola District at the weekend that he received notification from the President two weeks ago of the additional assignment. “I am running two offices at a go. I am ready to serve because my appointment letter as Security Minister says I will be assigned any other duties”, Mr Muruli said.
Mr Mukasa was appointed security minister when previous occupant of the office, Mr Amama Mbabazi, was promoted to Prime Minister to replace the retiring Prof. Apolo Nsibambi upon the formation of a new government following February’s general election. Years earlier, Mr Mukasa had served in the same position but was dropped when he lost his seat.
Mr Mukasa replaces Bujenje County MP Labwoni Kabakumba Masiko, who resigned from the position a fortnight ago. Ms Kabakumba was forced out under pressure from Cabinet and the ruling party’s parliamentary caucus after a missing transmitter belonging to Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) was found being used by a private upcountry radio station in which she is a reported major shareholder. The Minister for Information, Ms Mary Karooro Okurut, yesterday confirmed Mr Mukasa’s additional docket.
State House affirmed the appointment which comes with the teething challenge of reconciling elected Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, an opposition politician, who is locked in a turf war with Ms Jennifer Musisi, the city executive director, appointed by President Museveni, over how the capital’s affairs ought to be run.
“The President directed him to oversee the operations of the ministry but it is a normal practice and a new minister will be appointed and announced later,” President Museveni’s Press Secretary Tamale Mirundi, said yesterday. Currently, there is no minister for without portfolio.
