Jacob Markson Oboth Assumes Office as Defence Minister

Jacob Markson Oboth has assumed office as the new Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs (MODVA) in a hand/take-over ceremony that happened at the MODVA Headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala.

Oboth takes over the Defence Ministry Office from Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja while Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke assumes office from Oleru Huda as the new Minister of State for Defence and Veterans Affairs.

This follows the recent cabinet reshuffle by President Yoweri Museveni, who is also the commander-in-chief on March 21.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ssempijja congratulated 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,” Ssempijja remarked.

Ssempijja’s legacy, among others, includes enhanced UPDF training and capacity building, welfare improvement, enhanced Defence Diplomacy and an 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, 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: “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."

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, 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.

In 2007, he was elected as an Independent MP for West Budama South in 2011. 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 10^th 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 Minister of State for Defence and Veterans Affairs Oleru Huda handed over office to Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke. 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.

Oleru Huda 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.