Uganda woke to the news of the death of Bank of Uganda Governor Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile on Sunday. The seasoned professional economist served as Governor and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Uganda since 2001 and had just started a new term of office for which he was reappointed in 2021. He previously served as Secretary to the Treasury from 1992 to 2001 when he was appointed Governor.
He is remembered for spearheading the design and implementation of the Economic Reform Program that restored Uganda from the economic crises of the 1970s and 1980s to sound economic performance during his service as the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury in the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development.
Ugandans from all walks of life eulogised Mutebile as the face of Uganda’s recovery. State House Kenya on Sunday tweeted a tribute in which they quote Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta praising the departed Tumusiime-Mutebile as a reformer whose tenure at the helm of the Bank of Uganda ensured his country’s and the region’s economic stability and progress.
In a tribute on social media seasoned journalist Andrew Mwenda wrote; “Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile, this great architect of Uganda’s economic recovery, this titan of our banking industry, this intelligent, magnanimous and generous soul, this friend of all and enemy of no one, rested this morning at 5.30am. RIP my friend! You have been a true giant! Finance ministry Permanent Secretary Ramathan Ggoobi Remembers him as one of the grandfathers of Uganda’s modern economy. “We are better off today because of the reforms he spearheaded and the service he rendered,” he writes.
Meanwhile earlier in the week on Friday many took to social media with excitement at the news of The Commander of Land Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba meeting with neighbouring Rwanda President Paul Kagame. Muhoozi, who is also the son of President Yoweri Museveni runs a popular twitter handle, and his tweets often excite followers, making him a popular public figure. Earlier in the week Muhoozi surprised many when he tweeted praises of President Kagame. “This is my uncle, Afande Paul Kagame. Those who fight him are fighting my family. They should all be careful,” Muhoozi tweeted on January 16. Days later, Uganda’s Representative to the United Nations, renowned diplomat Adonia Ayebare was in Kigali meeting President Kagame with a message from his counterpart and former bush war contemporary President Museveni.
What followed the undisclosed message was the visit of the First Son, who later tweeted that he was grateful that President Kagame had given a green light to the release of a Ugandan soldier who had been arrested by the Rwandan authorities when he illegally crossed into Rwanda.
Rwanda and Uganda have over the last two years been at loggerheads that led to the Government of Rwanda closing its border to Uganda. The two are long time trade partners. The closure of the border is reported to have caused diverse effects on Uganda’s economy. It is now hoped that the latest developments are indicators of improved relations.
Uganda today fully reopens its economy after nearly two years of closure for some businesses. Bars, nightclubs, theatres and other sections of the entertainment and night economy will fully reopen today after closure in March 2020. Curfew will also be fully lifted today. There is, however a rise in the numbers of infected Ugandans. The country has been recording an average of 300 cases per day in recent days.
More than 12 million doses of Covid vaccines have been administered so far, and Uganda has begun giving out booster jabs to some priority groups.
