Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile was accorded a gun salute as he was laid to rest in his ancestral village in Kijuguta, Kabale district, on Sunday.
The gun salute was in honour of the son of Kigezi who many mourners described as an economic icon that saw Uganda through the toughest economic times.
Hundreds of mourners gathered at Kigezi lower grounds to attend the final send-off of the late Governor Bank of Uganda.
Many dignitaries attended the burial. They include Prime Minister Nabbanja Robinah, who delivered President Museveni’s condolence message;, former Prime Minister Dr.Ruhakana Rugunda; and Col. Joseph Rutabana, the Ambassador of Rwanda to Uganda, among others.
FDC President Patrick Amuriat, Security Minister Jim Muhwezi, and Amama Mbabazi were also at the burial ceremony of the late Prof. Emmanuel Mutebile.
Lt. Gen. Charles Otema represented the CDF Gen. Wilson Mbadi at the burial ceremony.
Also present were Minister of State for Finance in charge of General Duties Henry Musasizi and Secretary to the Treasury Ramathan Ggoobi.
In the condolence message, Musasizi said: “Prof. Mutebile was a revolutionary and transformative economist, no doubt the most influential reformer of Uganda’s economy.”
He added that he championed economic reforms that restored fiscal discipline and economic stability.
“As Governor, he consolidated its independence and transformed the monetary policy to ensure macroeconomic stability which has safeguarded the economy from both external and internal shocks. We are grateful for his profound contribution.”
President Museveni in his message described Mutebile as an exceptional economist who fixed Uganda’s economy after the ruling NRM took power in 1986.
Dr Rugunda hailed Mutebile for spearheading the fight against sectarianism through the Kigezi United Youth Association.
“Ndugu Tumusiime didn’t like the politics of sectarianism, and he championed a movement that saw members as Ugandans and not based on their tribe or religion,” he said.
Rwanda President Paul Kagame, whose message was read by his envoy Donald Kaberuka, hailed Mutebile for rejuvenating Uganda’s economy during the tough times of 1990s.
BoU Deputy Governor Michael Atingi-Ego described Mutebile as a father figure.
“Prof. Emmanuel Mutebile bent over backwards to ensure that staff members were happy,” he said.
His demise has left a void in us, and we feel like orphans.
The deceased’s wife Betty told mourners how his husband had always been a man of his word since they got married.
“I met Emmanuel Mutebile through a friend. Initially, I wasn’t interested, but she told me that he was a man of his word, and that was enough for me. Throughout our relationship, he always stood by his word,” she said.
Mutebile was married to Betty Mutebile with whom they had four biological children; a son, Tumusiime Dankan Mutebile, and daughters; Florence Mutebile, Norah Mutebile and Recheal Mutebile.
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