Honorific-Prefix: | The Honourable |
Uzoma Asagwara | |
Office: | 11th Deputy Premier of Manitoba |
Term Start: | October 18, 2023 |
Premier: | Wab Kinew |
Predecessor: | Cliff Cullen |
Office1: | Manitoba Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-term Care |
Term Start1: | October 18, 2023 |
Premier1: | Wab Kinew |
Predecessor1: | Portfolio Renamed |
Office2: | Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for Union Station |
Predecessor2: | first member |
Term Start2: | September 10, 2019 |
Birth Date: | 23 September 1984 |
Birth Place: | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
Alma Mater: | University of WinnipegBrandon University (BScPN) |
Party: | New Democratic |
Profession: | Psychiatric nurse |
Uzoma Asagwara (; born September 23, 1984) is a Canadian politician who has served as the Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-term Care of Manitoba since October 3rd 2023. Prior to politics they were a nurse and basketball player. Since 2019, they have represented the Union Station electoral district in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.[1] [2] Asagwara is a member of the Manitoba New Democratic Party.
Asagwara was born in Winnipeg to Igbo Nigerian parents.[3] In 2008, Asagwara completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing from the University of Winnipeg and Brandon University.[4] Asagwara was the University of Winnipeg Female Athlete of the Year in 2005–06. In 2007 they led the Canadian Interuniversity Sport in scoring with 28.05 points per game.[5] Asagwara was a member of the Canada women's national basketball team for two years and was part of the team at the 2007 Pan American Games.[6] Prior to their election, Asagwara worked full-time as a registered psychiatric nurse specializing in adult and youth mental health and addictions.[7] They are non-binary.[8]
Asagwara served as a member of the former Premier's Advisory Council on education, poverty, and citizenship,[9] and as a member of the Women's Health Clinic board of directors.[10] In 2014, Asagwara founded Queer People of Colour Winnipeg,[11] a Winnipeg-based project which aims to promote the rights and safety of LGBTQ people of colour in the city.
In the 2019 Manitoba general election, Asagwara was elected to represent the Union Station electoral district. Asagwara, alongside Jamie Moses and Audrey Gordon, is one of the first three Black Canadian MLAs elected in Manitoba. They are also the first queer black person to win a seat[12] and Manitoba's first gender non-conforming MLA.[13]
While in opposition, Asagwara served as the Manitoba NDP's health critic.[14] During their time in the legislature, Asagwara has advocated for recognition of Manitoba's minority communities, and was able to pass a bill marking Somali Heritage Week.[15] In November 2021, Asagwara was re-nominated to represent the NDP in the Union Station riding.[16]