Ruhakana Rugunda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ruhakana Rugunda
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Rugunda at the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference of 2015
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| Prime Minister of Uganda | |
| In office 18 September 2014 – 21 June 2021 |
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| President | Yoweri Museveni |
| Deputy | Moses Ali Kirunda Kivejinja |
| Preceded by | Amama Mbabazi |
| Succeeded by | Robinah Nabbanja |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 November 1947 Kabale, Uganda |
| Political party | National Resistance Movement |
| Spouse | Jocelyn Rugunda |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | Makerere University University of Zambia University of California, Berkeley |
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Ruhakana Rugunda was born on 7 November 1947. He is a Ugandan doctor and politician. He served as the Prime Minister of Uganda from 2014 to 2021. Before becoming Prime Minister, he held many important jobs in the government under President Yoweri Museveni. He was the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 1996. He also served as the Minister of Internal Affairs from 2003 to 2009. Later, he was Uganda's representative to the United Nations from 2009 to 2011. He also worked as the Minister of Health from 2013 to 2014. He became Prime Minister on 18 September 2014. He took over from Amama Mbabazi.
Early Life and Education
Ruhakana Rugunda was born in the Kabale District of Uganda. This was on 7 November 1947. When he was a young boy, he often read newspapers to his father. These early experiences made him interested in politics.
He went to Kigezi High School and Busoga College Mwiri. At Busoga College, he was the head prefect. This means he was a student leader. He then studied medicine at Makerere University Medical School. He also studied at the University of Zambia. There, he earned a degree in medicine. Later, he studied at the University of California, Berkeley. He earned a master's degree in public health.
Before he started his political career, Rugunda worked as a doctor. He worked in Zambia and in Washington, D. C.. He also worked at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya.
Political Journey and Roles
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While at Makerere University, Rugunda was known as "Ndugu." This is a Swahili word for "brother." He was the president of the National Union of Students of Uganda (NUSU). This was a political group for young people. As a young activist, Rugunda was part of the Uganda People's Congress (UPC). He was close to President Milton Obote.
In 1985, he met with leaders of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). They met in Austria to plan for a free Uganda. After President Museveni came to power in 1986, Rugunda held many different government jobs.
He was the Minister of Health from 1986 to 1988. Then, he was Minister of Works, Transport and Communication from 1988 to 1994. He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 1996. From 1996 to 1998, he was Minister of Information. He also worked as Minister at the Presidency from 1998 to 2001. Later, he was Minister of Water, Lands and Environment from 2001 to 2003. He was Minister of Internal Affairs from 2003 to 2009.
Rugunda also served as the head of the NRM Electoral Commission. He was a Member of Parliament for Kabale Municipality. He was also the President of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). In 2006, Rugunda led a team to peace talks. These talks were with the Lord's Resistance Army.
In 2009, he became Uganda's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. This job was also made a Cabinet Minister position. He was the President of the Security Council twice. This happened in July 2009 and October 2010. Uganda was on the Security Council for two years.
In 2011, he became the Minister of Information and Communication Technology. In 2013, he was moved to the job of Minister of Health. He became Prime Minister on 18 September 2014.
Family Life
Ruhakana Rugunda is married to Jocelyn Rugunda. They have four sons. In his free time, he enjoys reading books. He also likes playing tennis and chess.
See also
- Parliament of Uganda
- Cabinet of Uganda
- Kabale District
