Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu presided at the handover Ceremony that saw Phiona Nyamutoro assume Office as the new state Minister for Energy and Mineral Development ( Minerals), replacing Dr. Peter Teko Lokeris who is now the Minsiter for Karamoja.
The Ceremony was held yesterday 28th March 2024 at Ministry of Energy and Minerals Development headquarters at Amber House in Kampala.
Nyamutoro ,who is the National Youth MP in the 11th Parliament was last week appointed minister of State by President Museveni in the recent cabinet resuffle .
Other ministers appointed alongside her included: Balaam Barugahara ( Youth and Children), Lillian Aber ( Relief and Disaster), Florence Nambozo Wamala( Karamoja Affairs ), Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi( Trade) ,and Dr.Kenneth Omona ( Northern Uganda Affairs).
With her charismatic leadership , Nyamutoro expressed the warm welcome received and pledged to promote the development of the energy sector and ensure sustainable exploitation of the country’s resources to maximum potential upon assuming Office to start Official duties in her new role and capacity.
“This morning I officially assumed office as the Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development (Minerals). With such a warm reception from the entire team led by Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, am delighted to take on from my senior, Hon. Peter Lokeris to establish, promote the development, strategically manage and safeguard the rational and sustainable exploitation and utilisation of energy and mineral resources for social and economic development,” Nyamutoro said in a post via her official X account.
“I am acutely aware of the immense potential of Uganda’s mineral resources to drive economic growth and improve the livelihoods of our people. I pledge to work tirelessly to advance the interests of our nation and ensure that our mineral wealth benefits all Ugandans, especially those in marginalized communities,” she added.
Minister Ruth Nankabira who presided over the handover ceremony paid tribute to outgoing minister Peter Lokeris for serving the Energy Ministry diligently and also congratulated him on his new role, which he also takes on with immediate effect.
“I expressed my heartfelt gratitude to the outgoing Minister Hon. Dr. Peter Teko Lokeris, for his extraordinary service to the Ministry and Government of Uganda. I also congratulate him on his new appointment as the Minister of Karamoja and wish him the best in his new role,” Nankabira posted via X.
“To the incoming Minister Phiona Nyamutoro, I’m happy to receive you as a colleague in this Ministry and I extend my warm welcome to you as this appointment speaks great volumes of your potential. We pledge our utmost support to you to execute the mandate of the Ministry and Government of Uganda,” she added.
Phiona Nyamutooro is a Ugandan politician and legislator representing the Youth in the parliament of Uganda, she is the National female youth Member of parliament in the parliament of Uganda.
Nyamutooro is an ardent supporter and cadre of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the current State Minister for Minerals in the Ministry of Energy and Minerals Development, a position she was appointed to by the President on 22nd March 2024.
During her time at campus, Nyamutoro comprehensively secured working experiences with young people in different fields among others, Vice Guild President Makerere University 2015-2016 which opened her career pathway into elective politics.
She was also a member of the National Youth Council representing Nebbi District and is currently the National Youth MP in Uganda’s Eleventh Parliament, the first-ever to come from Nebbi and West Nile at large.
In other circles, Nyamutoro is a champion of anti-pregnancy and Gender issues, and in parliament, she sits on the Committee on Education and Sports.
