By Patrick Onyango
Dec 12, 2003
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KAMPALA - David Pulkol is not the typical spymaster. Diminutive but intelligent, Pulkol came to the limelight in the early '90s when he contested for the guild presidency at Makerere University. He then successfully campaigned to join the Constituent Assembly in 1996 before being named to the Cabinet. After a stint as a minister in charge of Karamoja Affairs, he became minister in charge of Water Development, before being named a minister of state in the Office of the Prime Minister. Pulkol won a seat to represent Matheniko County in the 6th Parliament but his stint in the house was short-lived, as he quit soon afterwards, to become the ESO director general in 1996. After he was dropped in 1998, he joined the United Nations Children's Fund as deputy regional director for East and Southern Africa based in Nairobi. His attempted return to competitive politics was still born in 2001 when he lost the race for the Matheniko seat to his in-law, Mr Samuel Abura. He was then re-appointed ESO director general until yesterday. What he says: "I'm happy because I'm a freeman now; I have regained my freedom and that is what I treasure most, you know I like my independence and that is what I got". What he wants to be remembered for: "ESO has not figured anywhere in the human rights reports that they tortured people; my staff behaved in a professional way while carrying out their duties". The words that got him into trouble: "When did it become law to stop someone from talking about life presidency or third term? Which parliament passed such a law and which district council passed it". |
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