| Gabriel Opio | |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 November 1945 Uganda |
| Residence | Kansanga, Kampala, Uganda |
| Nationality | Ugandan |
| Ethnicity | Samia |
| Citizenship | Uganda |
| Education | Bachelor of Arts in Economics (BA.Econ) Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda Master of Arts in Economics (MA.Econ) University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Master of Science in Finance (MSc) University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Occupation | Economist & Politician |
| Years active | 1983 — present |
| Known for | Politics |
| Home town | Busia, Uganda |
| Religion | Christian |
Gabriel Opio (born 9 November 1945) is a Ugandan economist and politician. He was the Minister of Gender, Labor & Social Development in the Ugandan Cabinet, from 16 February 2009 until 27 May 2011.[1] In the cabinet reshuffle of 27 May 2011, he was dropped from the Cabinet and replaced by Syda Bbumba.[2] Prior to his service at the Gender Ministry, he served as the State Minister for Higher Education, from June 2006 until February 2009.[3]
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Opio holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Makerere University, Uganda's oldest university, established in 1922. His degree of Master of Arts in Economics, was obtained from the University of Alberta, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He also holds the degree of Master of Science in Finance, from the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.[4]
Between 1993 and 1996 he served as a member of the National Resistance Council for Samia-Bugwe constituency in the then Tororo District. In 1996 he was elected to the Ugandan Parliament, representing "Samia-Bugwe South" in the newly created Busia District. In 1999 he was appointed State Minister for Finance, responsible for Planning and Investments, serving in that position until 2001 when he lost his parliamentary seat to Simon Mayende.
Between 2002 and 2006, prior to his appointment to the Gender portfolio, Opio served in various capacities, including as Director of National Water and Sewerage Corporation, Director of Centenary Bank and Commissioner of Uganda AIDS Commission.[5]
In the national election cycle of 2011, he lost his parliamentary seat of "Samia-Bugwe South" to Julius Maganda, an Independent political candidate, who is the incumbent MP for the constituency.