Who is Beti Olive Namisango Kamya? Flash Uganda Media looks at her biography, politics, Early Life, Education, Husband, Family, Work and Experience.
Beti Olive Namisango Kamya Turwomwe is a Ugandan politician and a businesswoman. She’s well known for politics.
Early Life and Education
Beti Olive Namisango Kamya was born on the 30th November 1955, in Nakuru Kenya to George Wilson Kamya, a Ugandan, and Margaret Wairimu Kamya, a Kenyan. Beti Kamya was the fourth born to a family of nine children.
In 1961, the family relocated to Uganda when Beti Kamya was six years old. She attended McKay Memorial School in Kampala and Saint Helen’s Primary School, Namilyango where she completed her primary Leaving Examination (PLE) in 1969.
After, Kamya joined Wanyange Girl’s School for her O’ Level education and then King’s College Buddo where she obtained her East African Certificate of Education (EACE) in 1972.
Later in 1974, Beti Kamya attained her East African Advanced Certificate of Education (EAACE) King’s College Buddo for her A-Level education.
From King’s College, Beti Kamya was admitted at Makerere University, the oldest and largest public university in the country, graduating in 1978 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree specializing in marketing.
Work and Experience
Beti Olive Namisango Kamya was Uganda’s Minister for Kampala Capital City, 2016-2019. Sales Officer, Uganda Leather and Tanning Industries Ltd in Jinja, 1978-1981.
Marketing Officer, Uganda Leather and Tanning Industries Ltd, 1981-1984.
Chief Commercial Manager, Uganda Leather and Tanning Industries Ltd, 1984-1991. Marketing Research and Development Manager, Nyanza Textile Industries Ltd, 1991-1992.
Marketing Manager Uganda Breweries Ltd in Port Bell, Kampala, 1993-1999. Executive Director, Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) in Entebbe, about 36km (22mi) by road, south of Kampala on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, 1999-2004.
Between 2001 and 2004, while still at UWEC, she became an official in the political pressure group Reform Agenda, the precursor of the Forum for Democratic Party (FDC) political Party. From 2005 until 2010, she served as the special envoy of the FDC President, Rtd. Col Dr Kizza Besigye.
Member of Parliament, Parliament of Uganda, 2006-2011. Beti Kamya served as the elected Member of Parliament for Lubaga North Constituency on the FDC ticket.
However, in January 2010, she quit the FDC and formed the Uganda Federal Alliance (UFA) becoming its first president. She challenged President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni under NFA party in 2011, general elections.
She lost to the incumbent Yoweri Museveni coming in the fifth position with 52,782 votes.
In 2016, Kamya unsuccessfully contested for the Rubaga North seat on the UFA ticket.
However, in the aftermath of the 2016 general election, Museveni named Kamya Minister for Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and during his midterm reshuffle; she was moved to Lands, Housing and Urban Development.
Subsequently, Beti Olive Namisango Kamya officially joined the NRM in March 2020 but UFA party members Baker Ssenyonga Byayi and Isma Makumbi said that she never relinquished her position as party president and they were counting on her as the UFA flag bearer for Rubaga North in 2021.
As a result, UFA party members lodged a petition to NRM seeking nullification of Kamya’s nomination to contest for flag bearer Rubaga Division yet she is still the current president general and chief accounting officer for their legally recognized and politically active Uganda Federal Alliance,” the petition by Bumpenje and Co. Advocates read in part.
They contend that Kamya’s nomination as NRM flag bearer for Rubaga North Constituency contravenes the 1995 Constitution and the Political Parties and Organization’s Act, therefore, the NRM elections tribunal should nullify Kamya’s candidature.
Beti Kamya served as the Director Spenold Cargo Ltd, 2004-2006.
Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, since 14 December 2019-date.
Before that, from 6, June 2016 until December 14, 2019, she served as the Minister for Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) in Uganda’s cabinet.
Hobbies/Interests
- Reading
- Writing
Family
Beti Olive Namisango Kamya was married to Spencer Turwomwe, a soldier in the Ugandan Military who died in 2003. Together, they have six children.
