Minister Nankabirwa Bows Out of Elective Politics

Summary:

• Minister Nankabirwa announced that she is no longer interested in running for elective office and explained that she is now open to the will of the appointing authority, stating, “If he wants me to continue serving in the cabinet, I will praise the Lord.”

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KAMPALA: The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Honorable Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, has officially announced her decision to step down from elective politics.

Minister Nankabirwa, who represented the National Resistance Movement as the Kiboga District Woman Member of Parliament, secured 22,878 votes in the 2021 elections. However, she lost the seat to Honorable Kaaya Christine Nakimwero of the National Unity Platform, who won with 24,767 votes.

Despite a confident campaign, during which she told supporters, “If the cows vote, let them vote, I want to get 120%,” she ultimately did not retain her position.

Following her electoral defeat, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni appointed her on June 8, 2021, as the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development. Since then, she has been responsible for guiding and overseeing the energy sector, including the Electricity Regulatory Authority, with a focus on policy development and implementation aimed at ensuring a sustainable electricity supply for Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.

Speaking to journalists in Kampala on Thursday, Minister Nankabirwa announced that she is no longer interested in running for elective office. She explained that she is now open to the will of the appointing authority, stating, “If he wants me to continue serving in the cabinet, I will praise the Lord.”

She added, “But God has already given me another term of service, and I am very excited because pressure from the constituency is no longer there. The pressure on national duties is not felt, and I love what I am doing as the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development.”

CUE IN MINISTER NANKABIRWA……ON DECISION…..LUG/ENG//

Minister Nankabirwa previously served as the Government Chief Whip and Kiboga District Woman MP in the 10th Parliament (2016-2021), among other roles. She holds a Master of Arts in Conflict Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art from Makerere University.