Today @RuhakanaR--Uganda's PM--handed over his office.
Dr. Rugunda has been a constant presence in public life. He first appears in the archival record in 1969, when--as VP of the Nat Union of Students @Makerere--he visited the US ambassador.
Here's the diplomat's report. 1/
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Rugunda was a high school student, about to enter university. The subjects of their discussion: the US's dismal treatment of black Americans & the ongoing war in Vietnam.
Two weeks later Rugunda was back at the US embassy with further criticism of the US war in Vietnam.
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After Idi Amin came to power many NUSU leaders went into exile. Rugunda went to @UCBerkeley, where he did an MA in Public Health. Photo below from 1978.
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After @NRMOnline came to power in 1986 Dr. Rugunda became Minister of Health. Uganda's health system--formerly the best in Africa--was in a shambles. Dr. Rugunda played a key role in rebuilding infrastructure & confronting AIDS, a mortal challenge to many people.
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In later years Dr. Rugunda served as Transport Minister, Uganda representative to the UN, Minister of Foreign Affairs & in other roles.
Here he is as Minister of Internal Affairs in 2006, discussing his ongoing efforts to bring an end to the war with Joseph Kony's LRA.
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Good wishes to @RuhakanaR as he moves into a new role as advisor to Uganda's president. I very much hope that--in due course--we'll have an autobiography to read!
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