The Deputy Speaker of Uganda’s Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah today, presided over the administration of the oath of allegiance taken by the oldest serving politician in Uganda at the moment and the new Minister of State for Regional Cooperation Philemon Mateke.

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

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

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

The opposition chief whip Cecelia Ogwal said that the coming of Mateke in cabinet will improve the performance of ministers in parliament more than before.

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.