Uganda is in mourning today as the nation remembers the extraordinary life of the longest serving Prime Minister in our History.
Flags will fly at half mast today to mourn the death of former prime minister Apollo Nsibambi, who occupied the office for 12 years from April 1999 to May 2011, passed on on Tuesday in Kampala.
He has suffered old age-related illnesses in the past three years and such started the lugubrious end of a fine politician and academician.
Prof. Nsibambi “died peacefully” yesterday, immediately sparking an outpouring of tributes from Ugandans of all walks of life and from across the political spectrum.
While our politicians have been quick to release statements commemorating the 79-year-old and his contributions to the nation, it is perhaps the deluge of tributes from everyday Ugandans that proves just how beloved the lugubrious, plain-speaking leader truly was.
Twitter has been inundated with ordinary citizens sharing memories of meeting the former PM and growing up under his government, with many urging their followers to pray for the outstanding scholar’s memory.
The government, through the institution’s spokesperson Ofwono Opondo has passed on its condolences to his wife, children and grandchildren. Opondo emphasized that President Yoweri Museveni is in contact with the late Prof Nsibambi’s widow and children.
“Government cherished his contribution when he mediated between the central government and the Buganda kingdom”, Ofwono Opondo mentioned. “He managed to calm down a situation that could have gone out of hand.”
To be leader of government business in Parliament during his tenure as prime minister enriched him with vast political experience. Nsibambi is Uganda’s longest serving prime minister. He occupied the office in April 1999 up to May 2011, making a total of 12 years. Not so easy from a man who had walked from a background hinged on church and academics.
In 1996, new from Makerere University where he headed the Institute of Social Science, Nsibambi was appointed minister of Public Service. In 1998 to 1999, he was minister of education and sports.
Working on meagre budgets but always optimistic about the sector’s future, Nsibambi was further elevated to position of Prime Minister in 1999. He proved his worth. He served the NRM government diligently.At Makerere University, Nsibambi taught in the faculty of social sciences through the 1960s. He would later become the dean of the faculty between 1978 and 1987. He headed the department of political science for some four years.
- Born 25 October 1940
- Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences, Makerere University from 1978 – 1983, 1985 – 1987
- Head of the Department of Political Science at Makerere University from 1987 to 1990
- Director of the Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) from 1994 to 1996
- Chancellor, Makerere University from October 2003 to October 2007
Minister of Public Service from 1996 to 1998 - Prime Minister of Uganda from 5th April 1999 to 24th May 2011
- Died 28 May 2019
