Oliver Wonekha
{{short description|Ugandan politician}}
{{Infobox person
| image =
| name = Oliver Wonekha
| image_size =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1951}}
| birth_place = Bududa District, Uganda
| death_date =
| death_place =
| alma_mater = Makerere University
{{small|(Bachelor of Science)}}
{{small|(Postgraduate Diploma in Education)}}
| occupation = Diplomat and politician
| years_active = 1971–present
| nationality = Ugandan
| citizenship = Uganda
| known_for =
| title = Uganda's Ambassador to the People's Republic of China
|spouse =
}}
Oliver Wonekha is a Ugandan politician and diplomat, who serves as Uganda's Ambassador to the People's Republic of China, since 2022.{{cite web |title=Dean Of Foreign Diplomatic Missions In Rwanda Replaced |url=http://www.newsofrwanda.com/abanyapolitiki/32014/dean-of-foreign-diplomatic-missions-in-rwanda-replaced/ |accessdate=20 October 2017 |date=27 January 2017 |publisher=News of Rwanda |location=Kigali |first=Peter |last=Mugabo}} He previously served as the country's Ambassador to the United States of America, from 2013, until 2017 and thereafter as Uganda's High Commissioner to the Republic Of Rwanda between 2017 and 2022.{{cite news|location=Kampala |url=http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/645278-obama-receives-wonekha-as-ugandan-envoy.html |title=Obama receives Wonekha as Ugandan envoy |date=22 July 2013 |accessdate=20 October 2017|newspaper=New Vision |first=Joyce |last=Namutebi}}
Background and education
Wonekha was born in present-day Bududa District, {{circa|1951}}. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Makerere University, in Kampala, Uganda's capital. She also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, also from Makerere.
Work experience
She worked in the coffee sector for 30 years, starting {{circa|1971}}, before she entered politics.{{cite web|date=10 May 2014|author=AllGov.com |url=http://www.allgov.com/news/appointments-and-resignations/ambassador-from-uganda-who-is-oliver-wonekha-140510?news=853112 |title=Ambassador from Uganda: Who Is Oliver Wonekha? |accessdate=20 October 2017 |publisher=Allgov.com}} She worked at the now defunct Coffee Marketing Board and later for the privately owned Kyagalanyi Coffee Limited.
Political career
In 2011, Wonekha entered Uganda's elective politics by contesting the Mbale District Women's Constituency, in the Ugandan parliament. She won and served in that capacity during the eighth parliament (2001–2006). In 2006, she contested the Bududa District Women's Constituency, on the ruling National Resistance Movement political party. She won and served in that capacity in the 9th parliament (2006–2011).{{cite news|date=7 September 2006 |url=https://ugandaradionetwork.com/story/new-district-woman-mps-to-be-sworn-in-on-september-12th |title=New District Woman MPs to be Sworn-in on September 12th, 2006 |first=Christine|last=Nabunya |location=Kampala |publisher=Uganda Radio Network |accessdate=20 October 2017}} During the 2011 election cycle, she lost her seat.{{cite web |url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/Foreign-service-chokes-with-failed-politicians/-/689844/1622710/-/3g6jam/-/index.html |title=Foreign service chokes with failed politicians |date=18 November 2012 |accessdate=20 October 2017 |newspaper=Daily Monitor |last=Tabu Butagira |location=Kampala |first=and Sheila Naturinda}} Following her loss in the Ugandan parliament, she unsuccessfully contested for the East African Legislative Assembly.
Diplomatic career
In 2013, she was named Uganda's Ambassador to the United States, where she presented her credentials to President Barack Obama on 22 July 2013. In January 2017, she was transferred to Rwanda, as Uganda's ambassador to that country, replacing Richard Kabonero who was transferred to the Republic of Tanzania.{{cite web|accessdate=20 October 2017 |url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Museveni-appoints-Dr-Kiyonga-Uganda-s-ambassador-Beijing/688334-3789164-l1e8sgz/index.html |title=Museveni appoints Dr Kiyonga Uganda's ambassador to Beijing |date=27 January 2017 |newspaper=Daily Monitor |first=Job |last=Bwire |location=Kampala}} She presented her credentials to President Paul Kagame, on 11 October 2017. In 2022 she assumed her current post as Uganda's Ambassador to China {{cite web|url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1463469/wonekha-credentials-kagame |title=Wonekha presents credentials to Kagame |date=11 October 2017 |accessdate=20 October 2017 |newspaper=New Vision |location=Kampala |author=Vision Reporter}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
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Category:Ugandan women ambassadors
Category:Members of the Parliament of Uganda
Category:Ambassadors of Uganda to the United States
Category:People from Bududa District
Category:Politicians from Eastern Region, Uganda
Category:Ambassadors of Uganda to Rwanda