AMBROSE GAHENE
With almost slightly over three months in office, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has achieved tremendously in as far as service delivery is concerned.
On assuming the high office of being leader of Government business, Ms Nabbanja, a long serving cadre of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) cadre, came at a time when Uganda was experiencing the second wave of COVID 19 pandemic.
There were a number of issues to address, including assuring the Nation that a female Prime Minister will equally deliver the services much needed by the people, just as male counterparts would do.
Amidst bickering, and criticism from members of the opposition political divide, Nabbanja surprised many when she spearheaded the introduction of a relief fund for vulnerable groups likely to be seriously battered by the 42 days COVID-19 lockdown.
The money, UGX 100, 000, agreed upon (commonly referred to as the Nabbanja money), brought into limelight her ability to steer the Prime Minister’s (OPM) docket for the better.
Being the first time vulnerable Ugandans got such money, this should be regarded as a notable achievement by Nabbanja, therefore.
Nabbanja swiftly turned her whip too on the corrupt Office of the Prime Minister officials who supplied substandard food stuffs and relief materials to Kasese flood victims.
To clean her office of the unscrupulous staff, Robinah Nabbanja directed the police and the State House Anti- Corruption Unit to arrest four of her staff, who are currently under custody.
It sent a wave of fear among other corrupt officials both in Government and the Private sector, that the new Prime Minister would not be a joking subject!
Nabbanja has tasked people concerned, to answer questions from members of parliament on a number of issues, without fear or favor. Robinah Nabbanja never minces her words.
The line cabinet Ministers have been put on alert and ready to attend parliament sessions to answer any questions arising from the performance of their Ministries. In the past, ministers would dodge sessions. Some would send their juniors to answer questions from parliamentarians on their behalf.
Robinah Nabbanja
Rt. Hon Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja was born on 17 December 1969 in Sembabule District present-day Kakumiro district Bunyoro sub-region, Western Uganda, Kamusenene village, Nkooko Sub-County to John Kayiira (late) and Ms Nzeremeri Nakato. Nabbanja’s father was a farmer and a tailor.
Nabbanja is from a humble background, born to a family of 11 and she’s the 7th child to both her mom and late dad.
Nabbanja attended Kamusenene Primary School from p.1 to p.7 then Nankanula Secondary School in Kyankwanzi which was seven miles away from their home, and after she joined St. Edward’s Secondary School Bukuumi from where she attained both her O & A Level certificates.
Nabbanja was quite a clever girl who obtained a first grade in her primary seven and got admitted to Trinity College Nabbingo but since her father died while in P.7, her mother opted for the nearby and cheaper school.
Nabbanja had a farmyard of maize, potatoes, beans, cassava which she gave to the school in exchange for her education since coffee was at a low price at the time interrupted by the bush war until she completed her senior four and senior six education. Nabbanja performed excellently.
The Rt. Hon PM first met the president while in senior five who had paid a visit to Kakumiro. At the time she was the head girl of St. Edward’s Secondary School Bukuumi. She led the team to welcome the president. At school, she was also the netball team captain.
After senior six, Nabbanja joined National Teacher’s College (NTC) which was free of charge and after completing her studies she began teaching at Uganda Martyrs SS and Bukumiro Secondary School.
She also obtained a diploma in Democracy and Development Studies from Uganda Martyr’s University in Mubende. Later, Nabbanja attained a Master of Arts in Development Studies from Uganda Martyrs University still.
She has a certificate in Effective Policy Formulation & Management, from Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), a Certificate in Public Administration and Management from Uganda Management Institute (UMI), Certificate in Leadership Skills and Management from the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi.
