Christopher Kibanzanga
Christopher Kibanzanga | |
|---|---|
| Minister of State for Agriculture | |
| In office 6 June 2016 – 3 May 2021 | |
| President | Yoweri Museveni |
| Preceded by | Vincent Ssempijja |
| Succeeded by | Kyakulaga Fred Bwino |
| Member of Parliament for Bughendera County | |
| In office May 2016 – May 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Acrobert Moses Kiiza |
| Member of Parliament for Busongora County South | |
| In office 2001–2011 | |
| Succeeded by | Boaz Kafuda |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Christoper Mbalibula Taban Kibanzanga January 22, 1967 Kasese District, Uganda |
| Political party | National Resistance Movement (since 2015) |
| Other political affiliations | Forum for Democratic Change (c. 2005–2015) |
| Parent | Isaya Mukirania (father) Christine Mukirania (mother) |
| Relatives | Charles Mumbere (brother) |
| Alma mater | Makerere University (BA) |
| Profession | Teacher, Politician |
Christopher Mbalibula Taban Kibanzanga (born 22 January 1967) is a Ugandan politician and a prince from the Kingdom of Rwenzururu. He is a long-serving former Member of Parliament and served as the Minister of State for Agriculture in the Cabinet of Uganda from June 2016 to May 2021.[1]
Kibanzanga began his political career as an opposition stalwart and a founding member of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party. In a widely publicized move in 2015, he defected to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.[2]
Early life and education
Christopher Kibanzanga was born on 22 January 1967 in Kasese District, Western Uganda. He is a son of Isaya Mukirania, the founder and first king (Omusinga) of the Rwenzururu Kingdom. His elder brother is Charles Mumbere, the reigning Omusinga of Rwenzururu.[3]
He attended primary school in Kasese before joining St. Mary's College, Kisubi. He later studied at Old Kampala Senior Secondary School for his A-Levels. He was admitted to Makerere University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences. He also holds a postgraduate certificate in Public Administration and Management.[4]
Political career
Early parliament and opposition role
Kibanzanga was first elected to the Parliament of Uganda in 1996 to represent Busongora County South in Kasese District. He was re-elected in 2001 and 2006, serving three consecutive terms.[4] Initially aligned with the opposition, he became a founding member of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party upon its formation around 2005.[5]
During his time in the opposition, he held several senior roles in the Shadow Cabinet of Uganda, including Shadow Minister for the Presidency and Anti-Corruption, and later as Shadow Minister for Information and National Guidance.[6] In March 2010, he briefly served as the acting Leader of the Opposition in Parliament (Uganda).[7]
In 2011, after serving three terms as MP, Kibanzanga chose not to seek re-election for his parliamentary seat. Instead, he contested the LCV (District) Chairmanship for Kasese District on the FDC ticket but lost to the incumbent, Lt. Col. Mawa Muhindo.[8]
Defection to NRM and ministerial appointment
In August 2015, after a period away from elective politics, Kibanzanga announced his defection from the FDC to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), a move that drew significant media attention. He stated that his decision was motivated by a desire to work with the government to bring development to his home region of Rwenzori.[5]
In the 2016 general election, he contested as the NRM candidate for the newly created Bughendera County constituency in Bundibugyo District and won the parliamentary seat.[4] On 6 June 2016, President Museveni appointed him to the cabinet as the Minister of State for Agriculture.[1] His appointment was particularly noted given his royal lineage and the historically tense relationship between the Rwenzururu Kingdom and the central government.
2016 Kasese clashes and later career
Kibanzanga's ministerial tenure coincided with the 2016 Kasese clashes, which saw Ugandan security forces raid the palace of his brother, Omusinga Charles Mumbere, leading to his arrest. As a government minister and a prince of the kingdom, Kibanzanga was placed in a complex political position, often acting as a liaison between the government and the royal family during the crisis.[3]
In the lead-up to the 2021 elections, Kibanzanga lost the NRM party primary for the Bughendera County flagbearer position.[9] He was not retained in the cabinet reshuffle announced in June 2021 following the general election.[10]
See also
References
- ^ a b Uganda State House (6 June 2016). "Museveni's new cabinet list At 6 June 2016" (PDF). Daily Monitor. Kampala. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 October 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
- ^ "FDC's Christopher Kibanzanga crosses to NRM". NTV Uganda. 2 September 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Kibanzanga: I am a prince, I can't be a refugee". The Observer - Uganda. 7 December 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ a b c "Mbalibula Christopher Taban Kibanzanga". Parliament of Uganda. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ^ a b Kiggundu, Edris (27 January 2016). "Uganda: Ex-MP Kibanzanga - Why I Crossed From FDC to NRM". The Observer (Kampala). Archived from the original on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ^ Ugandan opposition appeals for fewer presidential advisors. from BBC Monitoring International Reports, 27 August 2006 (archived at AccessMyLibrary.com)
- ^ "Pile pressure on Museveni - opposition". Daily Monitor. 14 March 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ Asiimwe, Wilson (1 September 2015). "Kasese celebrates as Kibanzanga exits FDC". Uganda Decides. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "Minister Kibanzanga, 5 MPs lose in Bundibugyo NRM polls". Daily Monitor. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "Full cabinet list: Jessica Alupo New Vice President". Daily Monitor. 9 June 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2025.