School of International Studies News

(February 25, 2008) -

The Vice President of Uganda, Dr. Gilbert B. Bukenya, spoke at University of the Pacific's Long Theatre, Tuesday, March 4. Bukenya's speech, "Tackling Poverty in Africa," will focus on Uganda's progress over the last 16 years as well as obstacles currently facing the development of East Africa. The event was part of Pacific's Eyewitness to History lecture series.

"Africa is a continent that is facing tremendous social, political and health issues and Dr. Bukenya has taken a leadership role on all three fronts," said Dr. Margee Ensign, associate provost for international initiatives and dean of the School of International Studies. "It's a great honor to host a person who has provided a leadership role on the international stage. We look forward to hearing his comments about the state of East Africa today."

Bukenya has served as vice president to the Republic of Uganda since 2003. As vice president, he has taken a leadership role in strengthening international relations, promoting bilateral economic and trade cooperation, raising awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa, and creating poverty eradication measures in Uganda.

While some African leaders been reluctant to admit to the growing problem of HIV/AIDS that plague their populations, Bukenya has taken a proactive stance. Since the early 1990s, he has partnered with various organizations, including the United Nations, to confront the epidemic in Uganda. As a direct result of his efforts, there has been a drastic decrease in the rate of new HIV/AIDS infections there.

In 2007, Bukenya received the prestigious US Congressional Gold Medal Award for his poverty alleviation program which specifically targets peasant farmers. Bukenya also helped open the People's Space, a blogging site which allows the free exchange of ideas and information about democracy and development in Uganda. "If we want to develop fast, especially in developing countries, we must be free to think different," Bukenya was quoted as saying about the site. However, he also has urged his fellow countrymen to help preserve African morals and values.

Bukenya was born in 1949. He holds a bachelor's of Medicine and Surgery from Mekerere Medical School in Kampala, Uganda and a postgraduate diploma in Public Health from the Royal Institute of Health and Hygiene in London. He also holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Public Health from the University of Queensland and a master's of Science from the Ross Institute in London.

Before becoming vice president, he was a college lecturer in Uganda and Papua New Guinea, director of the Institute of Public Health and an associate professor and dean of the faculty of medicine at Mekerere University in Uganda. He was elected to the country's legislative body in 1996 and later was appointed Minister of State for Trade and Minister in charge of the presidency. He currently serves as an adjunct professor of Tropical Health at the Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland as well as adjunct associate professor at Tulane University School of Public Health in New Orleans.

His speech is part of the Eyewitness to History series, which brings international speakers to discuss modern issues. Previous lecturers include Poland's Lech Walesa and the Nobel Laureate and President of Costa Rica, Oscar Aries.