Many Ugandans out there may have a faint idea about who was Uganda’s first Minister of Defence as soon as the first post-colonial government took charge in 1962.
Uganda gained its independence from Britain on October 9th 1962 when the union jack was lowered at Kololo Independence Grounds, giving way to the black, yellow and red striped Uganda Flag.
With the new government in place led by Prime Minister Milton Obote (RIP), many Ugandans had no idea about who was the real minister of Defence.
Our research desk has a revelation that is intriguing.
It shows that Prime Minister Milton Obote was not only Uganda’s first Minister of Defence. He also held the portfolios of Finance and Foreign Affairs.
Here’s the story:
In April 1962, Obote’s Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party won the general elections. On May 1, 1962 Obote’s cabinet of twenty eight Ministers was sworn-in at the then Government House, which became State House by the 1963 Act of parliament. Except the Attorney General, the rest were members of parliament.
Obote remained the Minister of Defence until April 30, 1966 when he made a reshuffle and appointed Felix Oname Minister of State for Defence while Sam Odaka became full Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Uganda parliamentary debates (Hansard), National Assembly Official Report First Session 1961-2 of May 1, 1962 records:
“The Government of Uganda-Members of the cabinet” as follows: The Prime Minister also holding the Portfolio of Foreign Affairs and Defence, Hon. Apollo Milton Obote. Grace Ibingira Minister of Justice, Amos Sempa Minister of Finance, Cuthbert Obwangor Minister of Regional Administration, John Babiiha Minister of Animal Industry, Game and Fisheries, Dr. Emmanuel Lumu Minister of Health, Baraki Kirya Minister of Works, John Rwamafa Minister of Mineral and Water Resources, Mathias Ngobi Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Lawrence Kalule-Settala Minister of Industry and Communications, Dr. J.S.L Zake Minister of Education, Felix Onama Minister of Internal Affairs, George Magezi Minister of State, Joash Mayanja-Nkangi Minister of Commerce, Alexander Ojera Minister of Community Development, Adeko Nekyon Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Tourism, Sam Odaka Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Godfrey Binaisa was the Attorney General.
Parliamentary secretaries who were equivalent to State or Deputy Ministers were:
Shaban Nkutu Office of the Prime Minister, Chris Katiti, Ministry of Regional Administration. Kham Karegyesa Ministry of Animal Industry, Game and Fisheries, Joshua Wakholi Ministry of Health, S.K Masembe-Kabali Ministry of Works, Lawrence Lubowa Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, William Kalema Ministry of Education, M.L Choudhry Ministry of Internal Affairs, E.B Bwambale Ministry of Commerce, P. Munyagwa-Nsibirwa Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Tourism and Mrs. Florence Lubega Ministry of Community Development and Labour the only female.