KAMPALA – Parliament has last week approved President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s proposed list of persons for appointment as Vice President, Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, and Ministers of State under the powers granted to him by Articles 108 (1) and (2), 108A (1), 111 (1), 113 (1), and 114 (1) of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda.
In the reshuffle, former Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua has been dropped and replaced by former Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, who is also the Lira City Woman Member of Parliament.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Obua said he was handing over the role with humility. “Today, I stood with humility to hand over the baton as Government Chief Whip to Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, represented by Hon. Hilary Onek,” he said. “In any race, it’s not the start but the end that matters.”
Obua described the day as one of thanksgiving, expressing gratitude to God for the opportunity to serve the country and to President Museveni for entrusting him with the role.
“I want to thank President Museveni for picking and entrusting a rural boy from Ajuri,” he said.He recalled that his first appointment was as Minister of State for Sports, where he worked alongside First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni. “Together we left a good record there in terms of medals,” he noted.
He also thanked the President for later appointing him as Government Chief Whip.
Obua advised his successor on the demands of the office. “I want to tell my sister, Dr. Jane that the Government Chief Whip plays an executive role at the Office of the Prime Minister, a legislative role in Parliament, and a party role. My sister should also know that here you come with black hair and leave with grey hair.”
He thanked the staff of the Office of the Chief Whip, calling them the “unsung heroes” who enabled the office to deliver on its mandate.
Reflecting on his future, Obua said, “For now, I remain a substitute, waiting for instructions from the coach. For any team player who gets tired or injured, I am available to substitute.”
