The Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah yesterday March 25, presided over the administration of the oath of the new Minister of State for Regional Cooperation, Hon Philemon Mateke.

Philemon Mateke
Philemon Mateke takes oath

Hon. Mateke took Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Member of Parliament to the post of Minister of State for Regional Cooperation during plenary in the House.

Rt. Hon. Oulanyah welcomed him back to the house saying that the Parliament was willing to work with him.

“We are glad to see you back in the house knowing that you have served here before. A few things have changed especially in the Constitution otherwise the rules are the same and we expect you to abide by them,” the Deputy Speaker said.

The Minister of Local Government, Hon. Adolf Mwesige welcomed Hon. Mateke to Parliament and to The Cabinet saying that the government and the National Resistance Movement were ready to serve with him.

“He is a very able and responsible leader and we are glad to have him back,” Hon. Mwesige said.

World’s Oldest Serving Politician Mateke Phelemon
World’s Oldest Serving Politician Mateke Phelemon

Hon. Mateke becomes an Ex-Officio Member of Parliament having been appointed a Minister without representing any constituency.

He also previously served as a State Minister for Education from 1981 to 1985 and as a State Minister for Labour from 1998 to 2002.

Mateke’s age is not well documented; people close to him trace his birth way back to around 1922.

He was an active civil servant by 1947, and by the time President Museveni picked him to head the Regional Affairs Ministry, he had just retired from politics after serving as the Kisoro District Chairman.

At around 93 years, the ageing man exercises remarkable influence in the Kisoro region and his word is taken with utmost prudence.

Placide KayitareAFRICADEMOCRACY & FREEDOMSHUMAN RIGHTSLATEST NEWSThe Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah yesterday March 25, presided over the administration of the oath of the new Minister of State for Regional Cooperation, Hon Philemon Mateke. Philemon Mateke takes oathHon. Mateke took Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Member of Parliament to the post of Minister of...PUBLISHING YOUR NEWS WITH CUTTING EDGE STYLE