# Uzoma Asagwara

Uzoma Asagwara (// ) is a Canadian politician who has served as the Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-term Care of Manitoba since October 3, 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. Asagwara is a member of the Manitoba New Democratic Party.

## Early and personal life

Asagwara was born in Winnipeg to Igbo Nigerian parents. In 2008, Asagwara completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing from the University of Winnipeg and Brandon University. 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. 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. Prior to their election, Asagwara worked full-time as a registered psychiatric nurse specializing in adult and youth mental health and addictions. They are non-binary.
Asagwara served as a member of the former Premier's Advisory Council on education, poverty, and citizenship, and as a member of the Women's Health Clinic board of directors. In 2014, Asagwara founded Queer People of Colour Winnipeg, a Winnipeg-based project which aims to promote the rights and safety of LGBTQ people of colour in the city.

## Political career
### Opposition

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 and Manitoba's first gender non-conforming MLA.
While in opposition, Asagwara served as the Manitoba NDP's health critic. 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. In November 2021, Asagwara was re-nominated to represent the NDP in the Union Station riding.

### Minister of Health, Seniors, and Long-term Care

Following by the victory of the NDP in 2023 Manitoba general election, Asagwara was appointed by Premier Wab Kinew as Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-term Care and Deputy Premier. In August 2024, they announced that going forward, prescription birth control would be fully covered under the Manitoba Pharmacare program at an estimated cost of $11 million dollars.

## Electoral record

vte2023 Manitoba general election: Union Station :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures |
| | New Democratic | Uzoma Asagwara | 3,714 | 70.78 | +18.16 | $11,910.44 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Aaron Croning | 917 | 17.48 | +0.32 | $0.00 |
| | Liberal | Iqra Tariq | 616 | 11.74 | -6.99 | $6,798.42 |
| Total valid votes/expense limit | Total valid votes/expense limit | Total valid votes/expense limit | 5,247 | 98.93 | – | $49,273.00 |
| Total rejected and declined ballots | Total rejected and declined ballots | Total rejected and declined ballots | 57 | 1.07 | – |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,304 | 42.21 | -1.85 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 12,567 |
| | New Democratic hold | New Democratic hold | Swing | Swing | +8.92 |
| Source(s) Source: Elections Manitoba |||||||
vte2019 Manitoba general election: Union Station :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures |
| | New Democratic | Uzoma Asagwara | 2,635 | 52.23 | +13.3 | $17,642.20 |
| | Liberal | Harold Davis | 949 | 18.81 | -4.0 | $4,328.11 |
| | Progressive Conservative | Tara Fawcett | 908 | 18.00 | -1.6 | $521.28 |
| | Green | Andrea Shalay | 473 | 9.38 | -4.8 | $2,067.06 |
| | Communist | Elsa Cubas | 48 | 0.95 | | $310.80 |
| | Manitoba Forward | James Yau | 32 | 0.63 | | $0.00 |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 5,045 | 100.0 |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 43.9 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | |
| | New Democratic hold | New Democratic hold | Swing | Swing | +8.2 |