Godfrey Kabbyanga Baluku | |
|---|---|
| Minister of State for National Guidance | |
| Assumed office 8 June 2021 | |
| President | Yoweri Museveni |
| Preceded by | Godfrey Kiwanda |
| Mayor of Kasese Municipality | |
| In office 2011–2021 | |
| Preceded by | Nelson Ndireeba |
| Succeeded by | Chance Kahindo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Godfrey Kabbyanga Baluku Kiime May 5,1974 [1] Kisinga,Kasese District,Uganda [1] |
| Political party | National Resistance Movement |
| Alma mater |
|
| Profession | Politician, Administrator |
Godfrey Kabbyanga Baluku (born 5 May 1974) is a Ugandan politician who currently serves as the Minister of State for National Guidance in the Cabinet of Uganda. He was appointed to this position on 8 June 2021. [2]
Prior to his cabinet appointment, Kabbyanga was a prominent local government leader, serving two consecutive terms as the Mayor of Kasese Municipality from 2011 to 2021. [3] He is a member of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
Godfrey Kabbyanga Baluku was born on 5 May 1974 in Kisinga sub-county, Kasese District, to Mr. and Mrs. Modesto Kabbyanga. [1] He attended Kisinga Primary School, Saadi Memorial Secondary School, and later Kasese High School for his secondary education.
He pursued higher education at Uganda Martyrs University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Democracy and Development Studies. He also holds a Diploma in Human Resource Management from the Uganda Management Institute (UMI) and a Diploma in Law from the Law Development Centre (LDC) in Kampala. [3]
Before entering elective politics, Kabbyanga worked in various administrative and community-focused roles. He served as a Community Development Officer for the Kasese District Local Government and later worked as a Program Officer for Catholic Relief Services. [3] He also had a tenure as the General Manager of the Kasese Catholic Diocese-owned Radio Maria. [1]
In 2011, Kabbyanga was elected Mayor of Kasese Municipality on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket. He was re-elected for a second five-year term in 2016, defeating his main rival from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party, which has traditionally strong support in the district. [4]
During his ten years as mayor, his administration focused on infrastructure development, including road works, flood mitigation, and improving municipal services. [3] His tenure was also marked by the challenge of managing the politically charged environment of Kasese, particularly in the aftermath of the 2016 Kasese clashes between Ugandan state security forces and guards of the Rwenzururu Kingdom. [5]
In 2020, Kabbyanga announced he would not seek a third term as mayor. He instead contested in the NRM party primaries for the Kasese Municipality parliamentary seat but was unsuccessful. [6]
Despite his loss in the NRM primaries, President Yoweri Museveni appointed Kabbyanga to his cabinet following the 2021 general election. On 8 June 2021, he was named Minister of State for National Guidance, a portfolio under the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology and National Guidance. [2] He works alongside the senior minister, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi.
In his ministerial role, Kabbyanga is responsible for government communication, promoting patriotism, and disseminating information about government programs and policies. He has been actively involved in public campaigns related to initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM) and communicating the government's stance on various national issues. [7]
Born on May 5, 1974 to Mr. and Mrs. Modesto Kabbyanga