Former Makerere university vice Chancellor Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba has declared his intention to contest for the Presidency come 2016.
In a telephone interview with Radio Simba’s Mutale Joshua, Prof. Barya (commonly referred to) says that top on his presidential campaign agenda is Health, Boosting Agriculture, fighting corruption, ending unemployment, and boosting the current poor education standards among other issues.
“You know the NRM Chairman and President of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has concentrated much on security and infrastructure, but it’s time now that I step in to elevate the social and economic well being of our citizenry” says the former Vice Chancellor of Makerere University.
“The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party is out of touch with reality amongst most Ugandans” he adds.
Prof Baryamureeba who now owns Uganda Technology and Management University which he started immediately after his exit from Makerere University says that his supporters have asked him contest for presidency.
“ I have all the support from every political party in Uganda but above all support from Progressive Ugandans, these are Ugandans that put people’s progress first and I am sure with these I am sure I am the next president of Uganda come 2016” Baryamureeba narrates.
Professor Baryamureeba, PhD, was born on 18-05-1969 in Ibanda District Uganda. He is a distinguished consultant, academic, manager, leader and entrepreneur.
Baryamureeba holds a PhD in computer science from Bergen University, Norway. He has published widely and won several awards in the area of ICT and research.
He attained a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mathematics from Makerere University. At 39, he became Makerere University Vice Chancellor in 2009 after he scored 84% and beat his closest opponent, Prof. Ddumba Ssentamu, by 16 points.
He also holds diplomas in public relations, administration, business management and mathematical modeling.
Barya as he is popularly known is the chairman of the Makerere University Business School (MUBS) Council.
When asked about his experience in active elective politics, Prof Baryamureeba says such is not necessary in modern state leadership.
“Let me tell you Joshua and the public at large, my academic and professional career has been packed with serious administrative positions I am sure are of equal weight to most of these ministerial political positions” he explains.
He further explains that the authors of the 1995 Uganda constitution were not daft to set the minimum requirements of any presidential candidate to a requirement of an A level certificate, and the age limit of not less than 35 and never above 75 among other requirements.
“I have all the requirements and by the way president Museveni was worse off by the time he became presidency, I am ready to lead Ugandans to a better Uganda” Barya laughs away.
Prof Baryamureeba is the first person to openly state his candidature for presidency in the forthcoming presidential elections. Currently Uganda’s political structure is complex stirred up by the demands for electoral reforms to ensure a free and fair election in 2016 which have also been delayed by cabinet.
By Joshua Mutale