Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, also Bidandi Ssali (born 1937), is a Ugandan politician[3] and businessman. He is the founder of the People's Progressive Party in Uganda and served as its president.[1] He was also the Minister for Local Government from 1989 to 2004, and an unsuccessful candidate in the 2011 general election. During Idi Amin's regime in the 1970s, Bidandi Ssali worked as a football manager.
Jaberi Bidandi Ssali
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| Born | (1937-07-17) 17 July 1937 (age 87)[1]
Butambala, Uganda
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| Alma mater | Uganda Martyrs University (BA in Local Governance)[2] |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, politician |
| Years active | 1962–present |
| Known for | Politics |
| Title | Former President People's Progressive Party (Uganda) |
| Spouse | Suzaana Kiganda Nampinga |
Bidandi was born in Butambala District, in the Central Region of Uganda, on 17 July 1937[1] to Bumaali Kakonge Matembe and Nalongo Eriosi Bulyaba. He attended local elementary schools before joining Kibuli Junior School. He transferred to Nyakasura School for his A-Level education. He studied at a university in Pakistan, pursuing a degree in agriculture, but left before graduation.[4] He holds the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Local Governance and Human Rights, obtained from Uganda Martyrs University. As of October 2012[update], he was pursuing a master's degree from the same university.[5]
At the time of Uganda's independence in 1962, Bidandi Ssali was a mobilizer for the Uganda People's Congress, led by Milton Obote, Uganda's first Prime Minister. During the regime of Idi Amin, he turned his focus to football, coaching Kampala Capital City Authority FC from 1974 until 1979. For a period of about 60 days in 1978, Bidandi was the team coach for the Uganda national team, The Cranes, the year they made it to the African Cup of Nations finals against Ghana.[5]
In 1980, when Yoweri Museveni went to the bush to wage the National Resistance War, Bidandi did not go with him, although he clandestinely offered assistance to NRA supporters who sought his help. When Museveni won that war, Bidandi worked with him in the new government as Minister of Local Government from 1989 until 2004. In 2004, he resigned from the Cabinet after disagreeing with Museveni over the latter's desire to run for a third term as president.[1][5]