By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa, Umoja Standard.
KAMPALA: Umoja Standard News Agency extends congratulations to Hon. Akifeza Grace Ngabirano on her appointment as Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs for the 2026-2031 term.
The appointment places Hon. Ngabirano in a key role supporting the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs as it oversees Uganda’s defence policy, veteran welfare programs, and national security coordination. She takes on the portfolio previously held by the late Hon. Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi.
Biography
Hon. Akifeza Grace Ngabirano is the Woman Member of Parliament for Kisoro District, having won the seat in the November 2024 by-election as an Independent candidate with 50,459 votes. She later formalized her alignment with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in December 2024, joining the party at the NRM Secretariat in Kampala.
She is a daughter of Mzee Bakanya from Gasaro, Matinza, Rwingwe, Nyakabande Subcounty, Kisoro District.
Education
– Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, University of Nairobi, Kenya
– Master’s Degree in Child Rights, Kurt Bosch University
– Master’s Degree in Gender Development Studies, University of Nairobi
– Diploma in Project Management, Makerere University.
Professional background
Before entering Parliament, Hon. Ngabirano worked with international organizations including UNHCR in Nairobi, Community Aid International in Kenya, and the World Health Organization in Geneva. She is also a businesswoman and commercial farmer.
Path to Parliament and National Service
Hon. Ngabirano first contested the Kisoro Woman MP seat in the NRM primaries in 2024, losing narrowly to Rose Kabagyeni by 744 votes. Citing irregularities, she ran as an Independent and secured victory in the by-election held on 14 November 2024.
In her swearing-in and subsequent parliamentary work, she has focused on representation for Kisoro District and alignment with the NRM’s development agenda.
Umoja Standard News Agency wishes Hon. Akifeza Grace Ngabirano success in her new assignment and looks forward to her contribution to strengthening Uganda’s defence and veteran affairs agenda for the 2026-2031 term.
