James Wapakhabulo
James Wapakhabulo | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 23, 1945 Law Development Center (Diploma in Legal Practice) |
| Occupation | Lawyer & politician |
| Years active | 1960s — 2004 |
| Known for | Politics |
| Title | Minister of Foreign Affairs, 2001 - 2004 Second Deputy Prime Minister, 2001 - 2004 Speaker of Parliament, 1996 - 1998 |
James Francis Wambogo Wapakhabulo (23 March 1945 – 27 March 2004) was a Ugandan politician who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uganda from 2001 to 2004.
Background
Wapakhabulo began his career studying law at the University of East Africa (now the University of Dar es Salaam). From the 1960s until its collapse in 1977, he worked as a clerk and legal draftsman with the Assembly of the East African Community. Later that year, he moved to Papua New Guinea, as first a senior legal draftsman and then a principal legal officer. He continued in this role until 1986.
Political career
Wapakhabulo became involved with the ruling National Resistance Movement. He then stood for Parliament, and between 1994 and 1995 was chairman of the
During his time as foreign minister, he helped contain a conflict with Rwanda and soothed relations with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, and Sudan. In 2001, Wapakhabulo threatened to sue an opposition MP, Wanjusi Wasieba, after Wasieba accused him of blocking his electoral nomination. After making the accusation, Wasieba claimed that he had received death threats and hired armed guards.
Several days before he died, Wapakhabulo wrote to President (and long-time friend)
Wapakhabulo was liked by many on both sides of Ugandan politics. Upon hearing of his death, leading opposition MP Aggrey Awori stated that he was "the best speaker ever". He was a recipient of Uganda's Nalubaale Medal for civilian activists who had assisted during the guerrilla war. Upon his death, Vice President Gilbert Bukenya proposed that Parliament Avenue in Kampala be renamed Wapa Avenue in honor of Wapakhabulo.
In January 2005, President Museveni appointed Sam Kutesa, the Minister of State for Investment, to succeed Wapakhabulo as foreign minister.[3]
See also
- List of speakers of the Parliament of Uganda
- Francis Butagira
- Edward Ssekandi
- Rebecca Kadaga
References
- COMTEX, 29 March 2004
- ^ Edyegu, Daniel (4 January 2009). ""I Have No Time for Opposition" - Museveni". New Vision (Kampala). Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
- ^ Bryant, Nick (11 June 2014). "Uganda's Sam Kutesa Elected As UN General Assembly President". BBC News. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
External links
- Speakers of Parliament In Uganda Since 1962 Archived 2017-10-29 at the Wayback Machine