Bukenya Hands Over to Ssekandi

Sheila Naturinda

8 June 2011

At 9:52am, Prof Gilbert Bukenya entered the board room, together with his successor Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi. Present was the head of public service John Mitala and Lucy Nakyobe, the State House Comptroller and other employees of the Vice Presidency.

Before he handed over the VP’s ceremonial black briefcase, Prof Bukenya said Mr Ssekandi is his senior because they were many classes apart in school.

“When I was struggling in senior 2, he was struggling in senior 6,” he said. “Since the junior has done something, am sure the senior will do more.” Professor Bukenya said.

He listed all his achievements like the upland rice project which he said has saved the country close to $90million annually saved from importation of rice. He also said he was involved in the poverty for all alleviation campaigns throughout the country.

“I beg you kindly to continue pursuing such projects and I will work with you,” he said.

He however said he had started on small scale industrialization process of skills transfer but when he was disappointed by the appointing authority, the buses which used to transport the trainees were impounded.

“Maybe someone didn’t appreciate the project to impart skills in the young men and women of the country- I hear the buses are lying at Okello House,” he said.

His speech, moments later reduced most of the employees close to tears and Ms Nakyobe almost failed to deliver her parting speech. “None of us wanted this to happen but we must welcome it,” she said.

AllAfrica – All the Time