Robinah Nabbanja: The first female prime minister of Uganda

Uganda has just reached an important milestone in the country’s political life, with the appointment, for the first time in history, of a woman as prime minister. This is Robinah Nabbanja, whose appointment has been validated by Parliament.

In Uganda, the Parliament validated the appointment of Robinah Nabbanja as Prime Minister for a five-year term. Accordingly, the Head of State, Yoweri Museveni, appointed, this Monday, June 14, 2021, Robinah Nabbanja to the prime minister. Aged 52, she is the first woman to take up this post of responsibility in this East African country.

“I thank God for all that He has given me, I also thank colleagues in Parliament for having accepted that I become Prime Minister, without controversies about me,” indicated Robinah Nabbanja, in a speech, committing to ensure the presence of all ministers at parliamentary sessions.

In power for 34 years, Yoweri Museveni, 76, was re-elected for a sixth term on Saturday, January 16, 2021, with 58.64% of the vote. During this scrutiny, which recorded a turnout of 57.22%, the authorities suspended access to the Internet and social networks.

These decisions followed a particularly violent election campaign. According to the electoral commission, the main opponent of President Yoweri Museveni, the leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Bobi Wine, 38, had obtained 34.83% of the vote.

The opponent vigorously contested the results of this election, which he describes as a “joke” and a failure to respect the will of the Ugandan people.