ROAD TO 2021: PROFILE! Polished Diplomat Declares Butemba Bid

By Francis Otucu

Mpeirwe Michael Katungi has Monday announced intentions to run for Butemba Constituency Member of Parliament seat in Kyankwanzi district.  

In a statement, a copy seen by this news site, Katungi, a committed and dedicated patriot, security policy analyst and diplomat, is out to battle incumbent, Innocent Pentagon Kamusiime. The battle could start in the NRM party primaries which roadmap has already been revealed.

Katungi has been involved in defence, security and diplomacy at the national, regional and continental political arena for many years from which he has amassed a hybrid of unique skills and experience.

WHY I AM THE RIGHT CANDIDATE

“I have always been a passionate advocate for economic inclusion and improving household income for all Ugandans for over 20 years,” said Katungi, in a statement Monday, “I feel my experience and attained skills are an essential tool to empower and uplift the communities of Butemba constituency and Kyankwanzi district to ultimately improve their household incomes and join the rest of the country as we march towards a middle-status country.”

According to Katungi, farmers are discouraged by the low prices of agricultural produce, livelihoods are impaired by bad roads, water scarcity, lack of hospitals, ethnic contentions, high illiteracy rates, and many other issues that have plagued Kyankwanzi district.

But he said, “I experience these challenges first hand and relate to every negative sentiment that arises out of these problems and I have noticed that this has led the community to believe that this is their normal life and that development is out of reach for them.“I have learnt that immediate intervention is required to change mindsets for the community to realize that progress and development that favors even the lowest income household in the community is possible.”

Katungi has nurtured strategic connections and has a resourceful network of individuals, organizations and government agencies through his service that he intends to leverage upon to realize the district’s development plan which he said aims to increase average household incomes and improve the quality of life of the people of Kyankwanzi district.

According to Katungi, Kyankwanzi district, part of Lukoola (Luwero Triangle), has always remained a cradle of our resistance movement and a strong supporter of NRM revolution. Against the above background, he chose to settle and contribute to the community both socially and economically through farming and various charitable ventures.

WHO IS KATUNGI

EDUCATION/TRAINING

This has been varied, extensive and comprehensive – in his chosen fields of study and training.

It includes but not limited to:

• Michael Katungi graduated from Makerere University in 2000, with a B.A. (Arts) in Political Science.

• He completed his Officer Cadet Course at the School of Infantry, Jinja, in 2001.

• He also attended the George Marshall European Institute of Security Studies, Germany, where he graduated in 2012 with a Postgraduate Diploma in Terrorism and Security Studies.

• He attained his MBA (International Business) in 2012, from the Amity University, Utter Pradesh, India.

• This July, he will graduate with a PhD in Area and Global Studies (Peace and Security in Africa), from the Institute of Security Studies, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Leipzig University, Germany.

Professional Life Michael Katungi’s professional life and career spanning almost two decades, has coalesced around world class expertise and competencies in the following broad areas: Diplomatic Affairs;

Continental and Regional Security; Military Duty. His postings have included:

• Security Logistics Officer at the African Union Commission, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

(Current);

• Acting Head, Security and Safety Division, African Union, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia;

• Security Officer at the East African Community, Arusha, Tanzania;

• Deputy Head, Regional Department at the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), UPDF;

• Command and Combat Duty, in various echelons of the UPDF.

Michael Katungi has also worked on several international and regional investigative

Commissions, delving into (for example):

• The Helicopter Crash that claimed the life of Gen. John Garang de Mabior;

• Human Rights in South Sudan (AU Commission under Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo)