Ruth Nankabirwa’s Political Journey: From Kiboga MP to Energy Minister

By Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1616 EAT on Monday 18 August 2025

In our Senior Citizen Series today, We’re featuring Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa

Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu (born 28 November 1965) is a Ugandan politician currently serving as the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, a position she has held since 8 June 2021. Despite her high-profile role in government, Nankabirwa lost her seat as the Woman Member of Parliament for Kiboga District in the January 2021 general elections.

She hails from Kiboga District in Central Uganda. She began her education at Bamusuuta Primary School before proceeding to Nabisunsa Girls’ Secondary School, where she completed both her O-Level and A-Level studies.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Art and a Master of Arts in Conflict Studies, both from Makerere University.

During the campaign period, she sparked controversy with a bold remark to her supporters: “If the cows vote, let them vote—I want to get 120%.” However, the statement did not translate into electoral success.

Before her current role as Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa served in several key government positions. From 1 March 2015 to 3 May 2021, she was the Chief Government Whip—a Cabinet-level post—succeeding Justine Lumumba Kasule, who had been appointed Secretary General of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) on 23 December 2014.

Prior to that, Nankabirwa served as State Minister for Fisheries from 27 May 2011 to 1 March 2015, taking over from Fred Mukisa, who was dropped from Cabinet. Before her appointment to the fisheries docket, she held the position of State Minister for Microfinance from 16 February 2009 until 27 May 2011.

Ruth Nankabirwa began her political career as a delegate to the Constituent Assembly from 1994 to 1995. In 1996, she was elected as the Woman Member of Parliament for Kiboga District, a position she held for 25 years until 2021.

Her Cabinet career began in 1998 when she was appointed Minister of State for the Luweero Triangle in the Office of the Prime Minister, a role she held until 2001. From 2001 to 2009, she served as State Minister for Defense before being reassigned as State Minister for Microfinance. In the Cabinet reshuffle of 27 May 2011, she was moved to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, where she served as State Minister for Fisheries until her appointment as Chief Government Whip in 2015.

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