New defence ministers Jacob Markson Oboth-Oboth and Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke have assumed office.

Oboth on Wednesday, April 3, 2023 assumed office as Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs (MODVA), taking over from Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja, while Mateke took over from Oleru Huda as defence state minister.

The development follows the recent Cabinet reshuffle by the President and Commander in Chief of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) Yoweri Museveni.

The UPDF in a statement released on Wednesday said the hand/take over ceremony happened at MODVA headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ssempijja congratulated 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 I'm 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.

The army noted that Ssempijja's legacy, among others, includes enhanced UPDF training and capacity building; welfare improvement; enhanced defence diplomacy; improved defence strategy and a 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".

(Fifth left ) Hon Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke, (sixth left) Hon Jacob Marksons Oboth Oboth in a group photo with civil and military senior officers

 Oboth committed to implementing the core values of the defence ministry and promised to work as a team with the current officials and other staff members.

Previously, Oboth had been serving as defence state minister (General Duties).

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.

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.

During the same function, 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.

Huda wished his successor well and pledged to continue serving the government in another capacity.

The army noted that the handover demonstrates MODVA's legacy of resilience, discipline, honour and continuity in view of the Ministry's mandate which extends beyond military role to encompass the well-being of every Ugandan citizen.

The function was also attended by Permanent Secretary MODVA Rosette Byengoma, General Officers and Chiefs, among others.