As we all know now, Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile has Rested. A formidable, generous, bold and brilliant man has gone to be with the Lord.
Our paths crossed at Makerere when we vied for student leadership in probably the hottest election Makerere Guild has ever seen.
At that time , Amin had come to power and banned all political activities in the country except at Makerere University. He, I and others were running for Guild President. Our Campaigns got the attention of the whole country and beyond. We were offered Open roof cars in motorcades to drive around the Campus and Kampala city . It was a Campaign of two students that startled galvanized and thrilled the nation. At the time,It was a campaign that it was. It was a two man horse race. It divided the country. It was alleged that he was he was a Socialist and Pro-Obote and I was said to be a Monarchist/Capitalist. None of these were favored by Amin and on the day of elections he Asians who had been ordered to leave the country were asked to be go and be counted at Kololo in a census. I lost all my Capitalist Asian supporters. Durring the campaign, we were hosted on TV in live Presidential Debates.
We were Front page Headlines of Kenya, Tanzania and Ugandan newspapers. All the prominent people within and without Makerere were rooting for either of us. My brothers Rt. Hon. Dr.
Ruhakana Rugunda , Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi , Peter Kabatsi, HE Amb.Moses Sebunya, Omwiny Ojok (a member of what was later called the gang of four that tried to influence post Amin politics ), James Ekwaro were in his camp. On my side was Prof. Ali Mazurui and his assistant Hon John Ken Lukyamuzi, Mohan Kiwanuka, Hon. Sam Kutesa, Hon. Abu Mayanja ,Hon. Tim Lwanga, Hon Syda Bbumba and Rt. Rev. & Rt. Hon. Baron John Sentamu now in the UK House of Lords. And many others. Leading lawyers in the city backed me.
Mutebile narrowly won the race and I conceded and pledged to support him. Even in those days it was unheard of to concede and congratulate and pledge to support the winner. After the election we had a huge party at Bat Valley where we partied all night. Our elections were toughr and civil. We formed life long friendships across the political divide. My partner and life long brother at Kampala Associated Advocates Peter Kabatsi was Mutebile’s Guild speaker.
Mutebile could not finish his term ,he had to flee the country because Amin was on mad rampage.
He returned back to Uganda after the fall of Amin and has served ever since.
He was appointed the PS/ST in the early 1990s replacing James Kahoza (currently a member of the Board of Bank Of Uganda) and he was also the longest serving Governor of Bank Of Uganda. He was further Africa’s longest serving Central Bank Governor.
He was the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury at a time when our economy was in shambles.
He was responsible for arresting inflation which run amok and was at one point in triple digits. Uganda’s infaltion was one of the highest,if not the highest in the world. He was a key mind in formulating our Liberal Economic Policy that has stabilized our Economy under the guidance and leadership of President Museveni. At that time, Uganda was totally dependant on coffee whose price was collapsing. There was scarcity of basic commodities like sugar and salt. It was illegal to deal in foriegn currency. Most basic supplies were got at the “black market”. Even something as basic as a soda could not be obtained easily. Under the leadership of President Museveni and together with his team at the Ministry of Finance including but not limited to Keith Muhakanizi, Chris Kasami, Patrick Ociliap, Lawrence Kizza, Ken Mugambe and others they went about boldly disrupting the status quo. They liberalised the economy. Allowed foriegn exchange to be freely convertible and opened the country for business and trade. Looking back its incredible that this country no longer depends on the price of coffee. Many countries in Africa are still dependant on one commodity. It is incredible that we can freely trade in foriegn currency. That’s not the case everywhere. Its incredible that we hardly talk about inflation anymore. Its incredible that Ugandans using Shilling debit cards can travel the globe and shop using Ugandan currency.
He wasnt super human and obviously made mistakes. But no fair person can say that he has not left the country that he loved much better than he found it.
He wasn’t only about work. We both joined Rotary and were member of the same Rotary Club-the arch club. The Rotary Club of Kampala.
Mutebile was a triple plus Harris fellow in rotary. That means he donated substantial sums of money to Rotary.
He was chairman of the fundraising committee for the Rotary Hospital in Mukono and worked hard to bring the hospital to life. He sponsored a number of people to go India for treatment. He was a generous donor to the heart institute, the cancer institute and the each and every cause of Rotary for as long as I can remember. He gave dignity to Rotary Club of Kampala. In Rotary he did not carry himself as Governor. He was known as Emmanuel. He was a jolly good fellow. He enjoyed singing Rotary songs and enjoyed a hearty laugh. He enjoyed a good time. He was able to lend our club his dignity and presence and light up the fellowship. Even in his final days he walked in steadily and self assured. His empty chair at our club will remain an eye sore- almost unbearable. We will miss him dearly at our fellowship.
He was an active member of AllSaints Church together with his born again wife Betty.
Mutebile was an icon. A friend. Strong. Direct. Open. Friendly and Dignified. He exhibited a sense of Duty,Honor and Integrity. He was a giant intellectual. He had a Great Sense of Humor and was always wonderful company.He was a personification of a true patriot. I salute you in Reverence my brother and my comrade. I have lost a brother.Uganda has lost an iconic son.
His wife Betty Kyakyo, his son Duncan, his daughter in law Marion and his family have lost a pillar.
A true leader of the Banyakigezi community has rested. A visionary has departed from the stage.
The curtain of his active life has closed.
He has played his part incredibly well. His memory will linger on forever.
Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime- Mutebile has ran the race and kept the faith.
He died serving his country.
Rest In Peace my Brother.
#Governor.
Hon.Dr. Elly Karuhanga.
