Wanyoto Lydia Mutende

Lydia Wanyoto Mutende (née Lydia Wanyoto), is a Ugandan lawyer, politician and diplomat, who is the Woman MP of Mbale City in the 12th parliament and serves as the Minister of State for Public Service. She served as the Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of African Union Commission (DSRCC), based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. From July 2014 until August 2014, she temporarily served as Head of the African Union Mission to Somalia.

Early life and education Wanyoto was born in Mbale, in the Eastern Region of Uganda circa 1971.

She attended Fairway Primary School, in Mbale, where she obtained her primary leaving education certificate. She transferred to Gayaza High School, in Wakiso District, where she obtained her Ordinary Level certificate (UCE). She completed high school at Makerere High School, where she obtained her High School Diploma.

Career In 1995, while a student at Makerere University, Wanyoto became active in campus politics and was elected as Chairperson of Marty Stuart Hall, one of the female halls of residence on campus. During the 1995 Constituent Assembly, she volunteered in the parliament chamber, helping the Assembly Chairperson with paperwork.

Wanyoto is currently the Woman MP of Mbale City in the 12th parliament where she doubles as the Minister of State for Public Service. Before her appointment in the ministerial post, she expressed her interest in running for the Speakership race.

Personal life Lydia Wanyoto was married to the late James Shinyabulo Mutende (26 February 1962 – 2 October 2015), the former State Minister of Industry from 27 May 2011 until 2 October 2015.

Other considerations Lydia Wanyoto is a member of the board of directors of Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE), a Kampala-based think tank.

In April 2019, Wanyoto was appointed to the board of directors of the National Planning Authority of Uganda, to serve a five-year term, renewable one time.