Maria Mutagamba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maria Mutagamba
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| Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities | |
| In office 15 August 2012 – 6 June 2016 |
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| President | Yoweri Museveni |
| Succeeded by | Ephraim Kamuntu |
| Member of Parliament for Rakai District | |
| In office 2001 – 6 June 2016 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 September 1952 Uganda |
| Died | 24 June 2017 (aged 64) Kampala, Uganda |
| Cause of death | Complications from liver cancer |
| Spouse | Tarsis Matthew Mutagamba |
| Alma mater | Makerere University (Bachelor of Arts in economics) ICL Computer School (Diploma in computer programming) John F. Kennedy School of Government (Certificate in executive leadership) McMaster University (Honorary Doctorate) |
| Occupation | Economist & politician |
Maria Emily Lubega Mutagamba (born 5 September 1952 – died 24 June 2017) was an important Ugandan economist and politician. She served as the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities in the Ugandan government from 2012 to 2016.
Before that, from 2011 to 2012, she was the Minister of Water and Environment. She was also an elected Member of Parliament for Rakai District from 2001 until 2016.
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Early Life and Education
Maria Mutagamba was born in Rakai District on 5 September 1952. She went to St. Aloysius Senior Secondary School for her O-Level studies from 1967 to 1970. Then, she attended Mount Saint Mary's College Namagunga for her A-Level education from 1971 to 1972.
She studied at Makerere University from 1973 to 1976, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. She also received a diploma in computer programming from the ICL Computer School in Nairobi, Kenya in 1980. In 1997, she got a certificate in executive leadership from the John F. Kennedy School of Government in the United States. Later, in 2013, McMaster University in Canada gave her an honorary doctorate in law.
Her Career in Public Service
Maria Mutagamba started her career as a banking officer at the Bank of Uganda from 1976 to 1980. She also served as a director at the bank from 1991 to 1999. From 1994 to 1995, she was a delegate in the Constituent Assembly, which helped write Uganda's constitution.
Working for Water and Environment
In 2000, she became the Minister of State for Water Resources. Later, in 2006, she was appointed Minister of Water and Environment, a role she held until 2012. She was very active in water-related issues. She led the African Ministers' Council on Water from 2004 to 2012. She also coordinated the Global Women Leaders Forum for Water and Sanitation during the same period. Maria Mutagamba was also the vice chairperson of the United Nations Task Force on Integrated Water Resource Management. She was well-known for her efforts to improve water access and promote water harvesting.
Promoting Tourism in Uganda
From 2012 to 2016, Maria Mutagamba served as the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities. During her time as minister, she worked to promote tourism in Uganda. She was known for encouraging people to try "Rolex", a popular Ugandan street food. She also helped bring back the Miss Tourism Uganda beauty pageant, which had started in 2010. She left politics in 2016 due to health reasons.
Personal Life
Maria Mutagamba was married to Tarsis Matthew Mutagamba. He worked for the Bank of Uganda for 17 years and was the first African chief accountant there. Tarsis passed away in 2004.
Passing Away
Maria Mutagamba passed away on 24 June 2017, at the age of 64, after a period of illness. She was buried on 28 June 2017, in her home district of Rakai.
