Having navigated through turbulent waves as Minister of Presidency and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Frank Tumwebaze has assured his readiness to confront hurdles in his new assignment.
Tumwebaze was Monday appointed Minister of Information and ICT.
The merging of the two ministries saw Ministers Jim Muhwezi and John Nasasira dropped.
Sources told ChimpReports on Wednesday morning that in May this year Muhwezi made the proposal to combine the two ministries.
He said this would help reduce the duplicative work of officials and strengthen its structures to properly regulate media and exploit it to governments’ advantage.
Muhwezi further argued that the Shs 3bn handed to the Ministry under Office of the Prime Minister was too little to enable it execute its mandate with efficiency.
He also proposed that the National Guidance structures be divorced from Information and relocated to the Patriotism training docket under the President’s office.
Tumwebaze comes into office at a time when relations between the media and government are not rosy over police harassment.
Tumwebaze speaks out
Speaking to this website in an exclusive interview, Tumwebaze said he was “always ready to serve in any capacity my leader and party deploy me in,” adding, “I don’t mind the challenges I am to face.”
The Kibaale County lawmaker assured his readiness to turn challenges “into learning experiences and therefore opportunities.”
He added: “For example being minister for Kampala enabled me to appreciate the importance of decision making in leadership as opposed to being indecisive for fear of criticism.”
“Cheap populists fear to take decisions and therefore don’t provide leadership.”
Tumwebaze faced stiff resistance at KCCA at a time when the elected Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago was being toppled.
Government had accused Lukwago, an opposition politician, of sabotaging development activities at the city authority.
Tumwebaze, who was seen as championing the removal of Lukwago from office, has never been forgiven by the opposition.
On the task ahead, Tumwebaze said he was “not a stranger to the media fraternity and I am a firm believer of intellectual civil engagement as opposed to emotive speech. I look forward to working well with all players in the industry. My constituents are certainly happy for my retention in cabinet.”