Mike Mukula

Michael Mukula
Born 27 August 1956
Uganda
Residence Bugoloobi, Uganda
Nationality Ugandan
Ethnicity Itesot
Citizenship Uganda
Alma mater Uganda Civil Aviation Authority
(Professional Pilot's License)
Nkumba University
(Master of Business Administration)
Latin University of Theology
(Honorary PhD)
Occupation Pilot, Businessman & Politician
Years active 1986 — present
Known for Politics
Home town Soroti
Religion Christian
Spouse(s) Gladys Mukula

Airline Captain George Michael Mukula, commonly known as Mike Mukula, is a professional pilot, businessman and politician in Uganda, the third-largest economy in the East African Community. He is the current Member of Parliament representing Soroti Municipality. He has served in that position since 2001. He has previously served as State Minister of Health, from 2001 until 2006.[1]

Early life and education

Mike Mukula was born in Soroti, Teso sub-region, Eastern Uganda, on 27 August 1956. He attended local schools before he was admitted to Kenya School of Flying, at Wilson Airport in Nairobi, Kenya's capital and largest city. He completed his pilot's training in the United States. In 2005, he was awarded the degree of Master of Business Administration by Nkumba University. In 2009. he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree by Latin University of Theology, based in Torrance, California, USA.[1][2]

Career

In the late 1980s Mike Mukula worked as a personal pilot to President Yoweri Museveni. Mukula owned a fleet of Cessna aircraft which he leased out. He would personally pilot the president in one of those planes. He entered politics in 2001, when he successfully contested or he Soroti Municipality parliamentary seat. He has continuously occupied that position since, successfully defending it in 2006 and in 2011. In 2001, he was appointed State Minister for Health, serving in that position until 2006. In the cabinet reshuffle of 23 May 2006, President Museveni removed him from his cabinet.[3]

Controversy

In June 2006, the Ugandan Government, established a Commission of Inquiry, headed by Justice James Munage Ogoola, to inquire into the misuse of funds of the Global Fund for AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis. The commission, in its report, found that the then Minister of Health, Jim Muhwezi and his two Ministers of State, Captain Mike Mukula and Dr. Alex Kamugisha, were responsible for misuse of public funds. The Commission recommended prosecution, restitution and possible imprisonment if found guilty.[4]

On 21 May 2007, a combined force of Uganda Police, UPDF Military Police and regular UPDF military personnel, rounded up Captain Mike Mukula from his residence at Bugoloobi and after a brief appearance at Central Police Station in the city's central business district, delivered the former government Minister to Luzira Maximum Security Prison.[5] He eventually made bail,[6] but went on trial. In January 2013, he was found guilty of embezzling USh210 million (approximately US$80,000 then) from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI). He was sentenced to four years in prison.[7] However, he appealed and the appellate court dismissed the charges in March 2013.[8]

Personal life

He is married. He is the father of five natural children. He belongs to the National Resistance Movement political party.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 POU, . (2011). "Profile of Mukula George Michael, Member of Parliament for Soroti Municipality, Soroti District". Parliament of Uganda (POU). Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  2. ↑ Newvision Archive, . (15 January 2010). "Doctor Captain Mike Mukula". New Vision (Kampala). Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  3. ↑ Henry Mukasa, and Felix Osike (23 May 2006). "President Museveni Nominates 69 To Cabinet". New Vision (Kampala). Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  4. ↑ Odyek, John (1 June 2006). "Uganda: Muhwezi Faces Prosecution In Global Fund". New Vision (Kampala) via AllAfrica.com. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  5. ↑ Patrick Jaramogi, and Steven Candia (22 May 2007). "Uganda: Muhwezi Escapes Arrest, Mukula In Luzira". New Vision (Kampala) via AllAfrica.com. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  6. ↑ Edward Anyoli, Charles Ariko, and Hillary Nsambu (25 May 2007). "Uganda: Mike Mukula, Kamugisha Released on Bail". New Vision (Kampala) via AllAfrica.com. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  7. ↑ Chris Obore, and Stephen Otage (26 January 2013). "Museveni Pledges To Pay Mukula's Legal Fees". Daily Monitor (Kampala). Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  8. ↑ New Vision Staff, . (13 March 2013). "Mike Mukula Set Free". New Vision (Kampala). Retrieved 19 February 2015.

External links