Abed Bwanika
Abed Bwanika | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1 August 1967 |
| Citizenship | Uganda |
| Education | Makerere University (Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine) (Master of Veterinary Science) |
| Occupations | Veterinarian, politician, religious leader |
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Title | President People's Development Party/DP Block |
| Spouse | Gladys Namusuwe[1] |
Abed Bwanika (born 1 August 1967) is a Ugandan veterinarian, politician and pastor. He is also the President of the People's Development Party and an opposition political party in Uganda. Previously, he was a member of Parliament for Kimanya-Kabonera in constituency in Masaka City (2021-2026) under the National Unity Platform, the youngest political party, led by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Bwanika was born on 1 August 1967 in modern-day Lwengo District.[3] He attended Kimwanyi Primary School, near his parents' home in said area. Later, he studied at Masaka Secondary School for his 'O' level, and at Kigezi High School for his 'A' level. He was also admitted to Makerere University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Later, he earned a Master of Science degree in the same field, also from Makerere.[4]
Career
[edit]Before politics
[edit]Following his first degree, Bwanika stayed on at Makerere as a graduate tutor, while he conducted research and pursued his second degree.[4]
In 2001, he left teaching and was a private veterinary consultancy.
He also opened the Christian Witness Church.[5]
Politics
[edit]During the 1996 presidential elections, Bwanika supported Yoweri Museveni, but switched allegiance to Kizza Besigye in 2001. He ran as an independent candidate in the February 2006 presidential election,[5] where he finished in fourth place, with 0.95 percent of the vote (65,874 total votes).[6]
He again contested inthe 2011 presidential elections as the candidate of the People's Development Party, which he founded; he is also the party's president.[7] The second time around, he received about 14,000 fewer votes (51,708 total votes), garnering 0.65 percent of the popular vote.[6]
In August 2020, Bwanika left the People's Development Party to join the National Unity Platform.[8] In the 2021 general election he was elected to Parliament to represent the Kimanya-Kabonera constituency in Masaka City.[9] Prior to the 2026 general election, Bwanika exited National Unity Platform and joined the newly formed Democratic Front.[10] He contested on the same seat (Kimanya -Kabonera ) constituency in the 2026 Uganda general election as Democratic Front[11] flag bearer but lost to National Unity Platform's Patrick Kuteesa.[12][13]
Personal life
[edit]Bwanika is married to Gladys Namusuwe, a fish biologist and lecturer in the Department of Zoology at Makerere University. They have been married since 1995 and are the parents of four sons: Wise, Decent, Chosen, and Delight.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Abed Bwanika And Gladys Namusuwe of PDP". New Vision (Kampala). 29 October 2010. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ↑ Mukombozi, Rajab (30 March 2015). "Get Out of Kampala, Bwanika Tells Opposition". Daily Monitor (Kampala). Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ↑ Bindhe, Edward (20 March 2014). "Dr. Abed Bwanika Among Evicted Lwengo Wetland Encroachers". Uganda Radio Network (URN). Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- 1 2 Ashaba, Anita (30 September 2013). "Abed Bwanika: I Was Called To Do Big Things In Life". Ugo.co.ug. Retrieved 30 March 2015.[permanent dead link]
- 1 2 "Uganda's Other Presidential Hopefuls". BBC News. 17 February 2006. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- 1 2 "Ugandan Presidential Election, 2011". Uganda Electoral Commission. March 2011. Archived from the original on 5 May 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ↑ "Eight Candidates to Contest Uganda 2011 Elections". Africanelections.org Quoting Uganda Electoral Commission. 30 November 2010. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ↑ Javira Ssebwami (13 August 2020). "Crossing the Red Line! 'President' Bwanika defects to NUP from his own party". PML Daily. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
- ↑ "Editorial: Uganda should focus on the day after tomorrow". The East African. 19 January 2021. Archived from the original on 13 March 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
- ↑ Independent, The (6 June 2025). "Mpuuga, Bwanika officially abandon NUP for new party DF". The Independent Uganda. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
- ↑ "Home". Democratic Front. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
- ↑ Independent, The (18 January 2026). "Mpuuga, Bwanika fall as NRM gains ground in Greater Masaka". The Independent Uganda. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
- ↑ "Long-Serving MPs and Ministers Lose in Uganda's 2026 Polls". Galaxy fm. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
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