Top African woman steps down

Last year Mrs Kazibwe accused her husband of beating her

Uganda's first-ever woman vice president resigned on Wednesday evening from the government, officially to go for further studies in the United States.

But there are suggestions that the resignation of Specioza Kazibwe could be part of behind- the-scenes political manoeuvring in the ruling National Resistance Movement.

President Yoweri Museveni's secretary said he had agreed to Mrs Kazibwe's request to be allowed to leave office in order to pursue her medical studies at Harvard University.

The BBC's Will Ross in Uganda says Mrs Kazibwe's decision to resign seems bizarre, especially coming at a time when the political landscape in the country is undergoing changes.

Opposition

Politicians opposed to President Museveni have been openly campaigning for the passing of a constitutional clause limiting the period that a president serves to two five-year terms.

If passed, the law would bar President Museveni from running for another term in the 2006 elections.

President Museveni's supporters feel that he should run for another term.

Divorce

Dr Kazibwe political career has been dogged by controversy.

She received worldwide attention last April when she announced that she had separated from her husband, Charles Kazibwe, because of the physical beatings he had inflicted on her.

Dr Kazibwe is currently in court seeking divorce from her estranged husband.

In 1999 during her tenure as minister of agriculture, it was revealed that dams worth about $4m were never built, and her ministry could not account for the financial loss.

Many called for her resignation or sacking by President Museveni, but she stayed in the job.

Born on 1 July, 1955 in Iganga District, Dr Specioza Naigaga Wandira Kazibwe's star began shining in 1989 soon after winning a seat in then expanded national legislature - the National Resistance Council.

She represented women in Kampala.