Ugandan politician Dr Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere, the former President General of opposition Democratic Party (DP), has died this morning at his home in Rubaga in the capital Kampala. Dr Ssemogerere was aged 90.
Here is the quick profile of Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere:
- Date of birth: February 11, 1932 in Kalangala District.
- Wife: Germina Namatovu Ssemogerere, professor of Economics at Makerere University
- Children: Grace Nabatanzi (1963–2011), Karoli Ssemogerere; Anna Namakula, Immaculate Kibuuka and Paul Semakula
Education
- High School: St Henry’s College Kitovu
- Graduated with a Diploma in Education from Makerere University
- Graduate of the Politics and Government Program at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania.
- 1979: Attained a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in public administration from Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York
Politics
- 1963–69: Publicity Secretary of Democratic Party
- 1961–62: Elected member of the Uganda Legislative Council (Legco).
- Later represented North Mengo Constituency as MP in the National Assembly of Uganda
- 1972: Succeeded Benedicto Kiwanuka as DP leader
- 1972-1979: Exiled due to Idi Amin’s reign of terror.
- 1979: Returned from exile and served as Minister of Labour.
- 1980: Assumed DP leadership
- 1980: Presidential candidate in the controversial 1980 election. Lost to Apollo Milton Obote.
- 1981-1984: Leader of Opposition in Parliament
- 1984: Reelected DP leader, defeating Okeny Atwoma who responded by teaming up with former minister Anthony Ochaya, Cuthbert Joseph Obwangor, and Francis Bwengye to form the Nationalist Liberal Party.
- 1985-1986: Appointed Minister of Internal Affairs under President Tito Okello Lutwa.
- 1986-1988: Minister of Internal Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister under Museveni’s government
- 1993-1994: Chairman of the Organisation for African Unity (OAU) Council of Ministers
- 1994-1995: Minister of Public Service and deputy prime minister in Museveni government.
- 1996: Ran for president but lost Museveni.
Kawanga Ssemogerere: Why I have a lot of respect for Besigye
