Hon. Jacob Markson Oboth has today, assumed office as the new Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs (MODVA).
The Hand/Take Over ceremony happened at the MODVA Headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala.
Hon. Oboth takes over the Defence Ministry Office from Hon. Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja, while Hon. Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke assumes office from Hon. Oboth as the new Minister of State for Defence in charge of Defence.
This follows the recent cabinet reshuffle by the President and Commander in Chief of the UPDF H. E Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on the 21st of March 2024.
Speaking at the ceremony, Hon. Ssempijja congratulated Hon.Marksons Oboth upon his new appointment and wished him success.
He thanked President Museveni for ensuring system continuity and the renewed impetus to continue with the struggle for social-economic transformation. “I want to state that am exceedingly honoured to have served as Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, which is indeed one of the strategic sectors for the survival of the Nation,” Hon. Ssempijja remarked.
Hon. Ssempijja’s legacy, among others, includes: Enhanced UPDF training and capacity building, welfare improvement, enhanced Defence Diplomacy and improved Defence Strategy and Planning Unit that aims at developing contingency plans that enable UPDF to respond to all security emergencies.
In his acceptance speech, Hon. Oboth commended President Museveni for entrusting him with the new appointment and enhanced responsibility.
He thanked his predecessor for mentoring him into a better nationalist and committed leader.
He noted that: “We have a mandate to do the work under Article 208 and 209 of the UPDF Act, look at the Defence policy and more so, importantly, our role should be at all times to establish the Commander in Chief’s intent through the directives he gives and through consultations.”
Hon. Oboth committed to implementing the core values of the Defence Ministry and promised to work as a team with the current TMCs, and other staff members.
Previously Hon. Oboth was serving as the State Minister for Defence (Defence).
He holds a degree in Law from Makerere University and a Master’s Degree in Election and Cyber Law from the University of Minnesota, USA. He has served as the Deputy Attorney General for Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution. He then worked as a state attorney in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, based in Mbale.
He was elected as an Independent MP for West Budama South in 2011.
Hon. Oboth-Oboth was re-elected in 2016, setting a record for being the first legislator to be elected for a second successive term in his constituency since 1996.
In the 10th Parliament, he chaired the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee and is a member of the Committee on Rules, Discipline and Privileges and the Business Committee in the 10th Parliament.
At the same function, the former Minister of State for Defence Hon. Oboth handed over office to Hon. Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke.
Hon. Nyirabashitsi expressed her profound gratitude and thanked President Museveni for entrusting her with such responsibilities. She promised to continue working with others for the complete and effective execution of her ministerial duties.
Hon. Oboth wished his successor well and pledged to continue serving the government in another capacity.
The handover demonstrates MODVA’s legacy of resilience, discipline, honour and continuity given the Ministry’s mandate which extends beyond the military role to encompass the well-being of every Ugandan citizen.
The function was also overseen by the Permanent Secretary MODVA Mrs. Rosette Byengoma, General Officers and Chiefs, among others.
