Amama Mbabazi
Encyclopedia
Patrick Amama Mbabazi is a senior Uganda
n lawyer
and politician
. He is the current Prime Minister of Uganda
, a position he has held since 24 May 2011. Prior to his current position, he served as the Minister for Security in the Ugandan Cabinet
, from February 2009 until May 2011. He also served as the Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement
political party from June 2010 until June 2011.
Amama Mbabazi also serves as the Member of Parliament for Kinkiizi West constituency in Kanungu District
, a position he has held since 2003.
.
(LLB), from Makerere University
, obtained in 1975. He also holds the postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice obtained from the Law Development Center
in Kampala
. He is an Advocate of the Courts of Judicature of Uganda and a member of the Uganda Law Society
since 1977.
's Chambers, rising to the position of Secretary of the Uganda Law Council. Between 1986 and 1991 he served as Director General of the External Security Organization (ESO), being the first person to serve in that position. In 1994, he served as a delegate to the Constituent Assembly
that drew up the 1995 Ugandan Constitution. He became the Chairman of the National Resistance Movement Delegates Caucus.
He has also served as Minister of State in the President's office, in-charge of Political Affairs. Between 1986 and 1992 he was Minister of State for Defence. Subsequently, he served as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Cooperation. In 2004, he was appointed as Attorney General and Minister of Justice. He held that portfolio until he was appointed Minister of Defence in 2006, a position he held until he was appointed Security Minister. He served as Security Minister from February 2009 until May 2011, when he was appointed Prime Minister. He is the tenth Prime Minister in Uganda's history.
Security Council, where he argued for the International Community to allow the Uganda People's Defense Force (UPDF) to pursue the Lord's Resistance Army
fighters beyond Uganda's borders. He also represented Uganda at the signing of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement
that resulted in the resolution of the Second Congo War
.
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
n lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He is the current Prime Minister of Uganda
Prime Minister of Uganda
-List of Prime Ministers of Uganda:-Affiliations:-See also:*Uganda*President of Uganda*Vice President of Uganda*Politics of Uganda*History of Uganda*Political parties of Uganda...
, a position he has held since 24 May 2011. Prior to his current position, he served as the Minister for Security in the Ugandan Cabinet
Cabinet of Uganda
According to the Constitution of Uganda, "there shall be a Cabinet which shall consist of the President, the Vice President and such number of Ministers as may appear to the President to be reasonably necessary for the efficient running of the State."...
, from February 2009 until May 2011. He also served as the Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement
National Resistance Movement
The National Resistance Movement , commonly referred to as the Movement, is a political organization in Uganda.Until a referendum in 2005, Uganda held elections on a non-party basis. The NRM dominates parliament, however, and is expected to continue to do so. The presidential elections of 12 March...
political party from June 2010 until June 2011.
Amama Mbabazi also serves as the Member of Parliament for Kinkiizi West constituency in Kanungu District
Kanungu District
Kanungu District is a district in Western Uganda. Like most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Kanungu, where the district headquarters are located.-Location:...
, a position he has held since 2003.
Background
He was born on 16 January 1949 in Mparo village, Rukiga County, in present-day Kabale DistrictKabale District
Kabale District is a district in Western Uganda. As with most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Kabale. It was originally part of the district of Kigezi, before the districts of Rukungiri, Kanungu and Kisoro were peeled off to form separate districts.-Location:Kabale...
.
Education
Mbabazi holds a law degree, Bachelor of LawsBachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
(LLB), from Makerere University
Makerere University
Makerere University , Uganda's largest and second-oldest higher institution of learning, , was first established as a technical school in 1922. In 1963 it became the University of East Africa, offering courses leading to general degrees from the University of London...
, obtained in 1975. He also holds the postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice obtained from the Law Development Center
Law Development Center
The Law Development Centre , is an educational institution for higher learning that offers various legal courses, ranging from one month to one year.-Overview:...
in Kampala
Kampala
Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
. He is an Advocate of the Courts of Judicature of Uganda and a member of the Uganda Law Society
Uganda Law Society
The Uganda Law Society is an association of lawyers charged with ensuring high levels of professionalism among lawyers in Uganda.The Uganda Law Society was formed by an act of 1956....
since 1977.
Professional career
Prior to joining politics, he worked as State Attorney in the Attorney GeneralAttorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
's Chambers, rising to the position of Secretary of the Uganda Law Council. Between 1986 and 1991 he served as Director General of the External Security Organization (ESO), being the first person to serve in that position. In 1994, he served as a delegate to the Constituent Assembly
Constituent assembly
A constituent assembly is a body composed for the purpose of drafting or adopting a constitution...
that drew up the 1995 Ugandan Constitution. He became the Chairman of the National Resistance Movement Delegates Caucus.
He has also served as Minister of State in the President's office, in-charge of Political Affairs. Between 1986 and 1992 he was Minister of State for Defence. Subsequently, he served as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Cooperation. In 2004, he was appointed as Attorney General and Minister of Justice. He held that portfolio until he was appointed Minister of Defence in 2006, a position he held until he was appointed Security Minister. He served as Security Minister from February 2009 until May 2011, when he was appointed Prime Minister. He is the tenth Prime Minister in Uganda's history.
Diplomacy
Over the years, Amama Mbabazi has represented Uganda in international fora, including the United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Security Council, where he argued for the International Community to allow the Uganda People's Defense Force (UPDF) to pursue the Lord's Resistance Army
Lord's Resistance Army
The Lord's Resistance Army insurgency is an ongoing guerrilla campaign waged since 1987 by the Lord's Resistance Army rebel group, operating mainly in northern Uganda, but also in South Sudan and eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo...
fighters beyond Uganda's borders. He also represented Uganda at the signing of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement
Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement
The Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement attempted to end the Second Congo War through a ceasefire, release of prisoners of war, and the deployment of an international peacekeeping force under the auspices of the United Nations...
that resulted in the resolution of the Second Congo War
Second Congo War
The Second Congo War, also known as Coltan War and the Great War of Africa, began in August 1998 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo , and officially ended in July 2003 when the Transitional Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo took power; however, hostilities continue to this...
.