In Kigezi where he hails from, his death has come as a shock to elders, area leaders and residents. A big loss, they say has befallen them with the demise of one of their own, a gallant economist who put Kigezi on the World Map through his exemplary work and whose hand has not only touched but also lifted many other children from the area.
Some of the casual laborers trimming a fence at the late Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebire's home in Kijuguta, Nothern Division, Kabale Municipality on Sunday (Photo Credit Samuel Amanya)
Locals and leaders in the Kigezi region are mourning Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile, the Governor of the Bank of Uganda.
Mutebile died in the wee hours of Sunday at Nairobi Hospital where he has been admitted since December 31, 2021.
He
had been in and out of the hospital in recent years mainly in Uganda and India,
with sources at the bank pointing to diabetic-related sicknesses, which have
led to failing kidneys recently.
Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile, a seasoned professional
economist has served as Governor and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the
Bank of Uganda since 2001. He had just started a new term of office for which
he was reappointed in 2021.
In Kigezi where he hails from, his death has come as a shock to elders, area leaders and residents. A big loss, they say has befallen them with the demise of one of their own, a gallant economist who put Kigezi on the World Map through his exemplary work and whose hand has not only touched but also lifted many other children from the area.
Rwakatojo Village chairman Sanvura
Samson says that Tumusiime will be remembered for supporting schools in Kigezi, pointing out Kijuguta Government Primary School in Kabale Municipality.
//Cue in; “twafwerwa omuntu weitu…
Cue out…kihango munonga.”//
Francis Musinguzi, the late Tumusiime’s neighbour and the
Chief warden of St James Church of Uganda parish in the Diocese of
Kigezi commended Mutebile for his support to Church activities.
//Cue in; “the late governor…
Cue out…the history.”//
Rukiga
//Cue in; “omugyenzi mutebire yaari…
Cue out…ekihumuro kirungi.”//
John Bosco Ndyomugabe, the Executive Director of Little Angels
Aid Ministries, a non-government organization operating in the Kigezi sub-region
says that Mutebile was generous towards the
needy, and in recent years, he helped to clear a USD 18,000 donation towards boosting education and health
standards in Kigezi. The donation had been blocked by the government over suspicion that its
funding subversive activities.
//Cue in; “the late Emmanuel…
Cue out…in peace.”//
Rukiga//Cue in; “okufa kwa Emmanuel…
Cue out …twashasha
munonga.”//
Saul Niwagaba Kagyema alias Magyaani, one of the renowned
golfers in the Kigezi region says that Mutebilewill is missed for his love for games and sports, for the establishment of Kabale Golf Club and the establishment of a currency centre in Kabale District.
//Cue in; “itwe nka abanya…
Cue out:…abanya kabale.”//
Kisoro District Chairman Abel Bizimana says that
despite owning a lot of wealth, Mutebile was a down-to-earth person and one who was extremely humble and politically proud of his roots.
//Cue in; “that man has…
Cue out; …batine nomugasho.”//
Kabale district Chairman Nelson Nshangabasheija says Mutebile always offered his time and support in terms of business consultancy to local leaders in Kigezi who sought advice on how to establish self-help projects.
//Cue in; “kigezi twafweerwa omuntu…
Cue out; “ha byobushubuzi.”//
State Minister for Trade, Industries and Cooperatives David Bahati says that
the late Mutebile is commended for successfully regulating Uganda’s economy and fighting
inflation; stabilising the Uganda shillings against major foreign currencies.
//Cue in; “Emmanuel tumusiime
mutebiire…
Cue out…loving person.”//
Rukiga
//Cue in…professor mutebire bo…
Cue out…economics stability.”//
At
his ancestral home in Rwakatojo village
in Kijuguta ward, Kabale municipality security
personnel are limiting access to the home 'until further notice.' At
the home, casual labourers are trimming the fence, and cleaning the
compound in preparation for his send-off.
