We have learnt with sorrow, the passing of Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile. Prof. Mutebile was a distinguished economist who served Uganda in different capacities before rising to the position of Governor, Bank of Uganda.
Prof. Mutebile’s life and work proves the point we always make, that Uganda is blessed with some of the most excellent professionals, who unfortunately work with a corrupt, inefficient government. Despite some of its notable achievements under his tenure, the Central Bank has not been spared of regime interference with public institutions. We for example recall Prof. Mutebile publicly speaking of how he was misled by the regime to fund the 2011 elections! We also recall the scandals that rocked the Bank of Uganda in the recent years, leading to loss of billions of tax payers’ money.
In a situation where institutions are personalised by a corrupt regime, it is difficult to avoid such scandals, regardless of the intentions and expertise of the officials leading them.
It is very sad that Prof. Mutebile has joined the long list of prominent Ugandans who have had to breath their last on foreign land, most frequently in Nairobi-Kenya. There has been no serious effort to uplift the few health care facilities in the country, reason why many people who can afford will be on the next flight for better treatment abroad. We must make a conscious effort to reverse this trend.
On my behalf and on behalf of the National Unity Platform, I send deepest condolences to Prof. Mutebile’s family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace.
