Gilbert Bukenya

Gilbert Balibaseka Bukenya (born May 1949) has been Vice-President of Uganda since 23 May 2003.

Gilbert Bukenya was born in the village of Lwantama in Kakiri, north of Kampala. He was educated by the brothers of Christian instruction order in Uganda. He had his early education at St. Savio Primary School, Kisubi, St. Mary's College, Kisubi, St. Edward Secondary School, Bukumi and St Henry's College, Kitovu.

Later he attended Makerere University in the 1970s where he graduated with a degree in human medicine. He worked briefly as a Medical Officer in Mbale up to 1982 when he went to Papua New Guinea.

He returned to Uganda as a Professor of Medicine and was appointed Dean of the Makerere University Medical School.

In 1996 he joined politics and was elected Member of Parliament for Busiro North constituency. He also served as chairman of the ruling National Resistance Movement parliamentary caucus. During this period he is credited for having managed to defuse the tension that was boiling up between President Museveni and other historical leaders of the ruling NRM.

Mr. Bukenya subsequently became Minister of State for Trade and Industry before being elevated to Minister of the Presidency.

He became Vice President in 2003 replacing Dr. Specioza Kazibwe who at the time was grappling with a failed marriage.

In 2005 Mr. Bukenya surprised political watchers and everyone when he alleged that the government was being controlled by a mafia clique. In an interview with the Daily Monitor, he said that the mafia was plotting his downfall. This was attributed to his ever increasing popularity and his closeness to the powerful Catholic Church in Uganda.

He is the Vice President and chairman of the ruling NRM party in the Buganda region.