Central bank chief in Kampala to pay tribute to late Ugandan counterpart

JUBA – The governor of South Sudan’s central bank, Moses Makur Deng, is in the Uganda capital Kampala to attend a funeral service for former Ugandan Central Bank governor Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile.

Prof. Mutebile, the only Ugandan bank governor to serve for a long period of time, died at a hospital in the Kenyan capital Nairobi over complications from diabetes at 72 on January 23.

A funeral was being organized for him and on Thursday, the Makur paid a glowing tribute to the longest-serving Ugandan Central Bank governor and described him as a brother who supported the central bank of South Sudan before his demise.

“Prof. Mutebile had supported the Bank of South Sudan in terms of capacity building and other related technical areas,” Deng said while addressing mourners at the state funeral service at Kololo ceremonial grounds in in Kampala.

Deng noted that Prof. Mutebile was a role model whose role would be emulated by civil servants for serving the nation with dedication.

“He will also be remembered for restoring the economy of Uganda, ravaged by long periods of instability in the 1970s – 1980s, through rigorous reform programs,” said Deng.

The body of the late Mutebile was airlifted to Kabale and then to Kijuguta village, where he was laid to rest.

Those also in attendance were Ugandan President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, ministers, officials, relatives, and friends of the late Prof. Mutebile.

Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile was born on 27 January 1949 and died on 23 January 2022.

Prof. Emmanuel, a seasoned professional economist has served as Governor and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Uganda since 2001.

He served as secretary to the treasury from 1992 to 2001, when he was appointed governor.

He also worked as a consultant for multilateral and regional organizations including the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and others.

In 1979 and 1984, he briefly served as Deputy Principal Secretary to the President, Undersecretary, and later Chief Economist in the Ministry of Planning.

In 1992, he was appointed Permanent Secretary to the merged Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development.