Hundreds of mourners on Sunday thronged Kigezi High School Primary playground to attend the final send-off of the departed Bank of Uganda Governor Prof . Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile.
Mutebile passed away on Sunday morning at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, at the age of 72, after suffering multiple organ failures.
The requiem mass presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese of Kigezi Rt Rev. George Bagamuhunda attracted mourners including government officials of Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya, prominent religious leaders in the region.
President Kaguta Museveni in his message delivered by the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said that Prof Mutebile was an exceptional economist and committed civil servant. Museveni praised the deceased for helping to “fix the economy” which was in shambles when Museveni took over power in 1986.
Betty Kyakyo Mutebile, the widow, and his son Duncan Tumusiime Mutebile commended the deceased for loving and caring for the family. They said that the late Mutebile will be remembered for being a very smart, formal and disciplined man.
Dr Ruhakana Rugunda the former Prime Minister and childhood friend of the deceased said he would be remembered for spearheading the Kigezi United Youths Association that was intended at fighting sectarian politics in Kigezi and Uganda.
He said that despite Mutebile’s background, he remained very committed and stood by his word.
President of Rwanda Paul Kagame whose message was read for him by his special envoy Dr Donald Kaberuka commended the late Prof Mutebile for working very hard to ensure rejuvenation of the economy in the early 1970 and 1980s through formulation of fiscal policies. “ChimpReports”