Parliament wants government to provide a new place of residence for the family of the late Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile, the Governor, Bank of Uganda in honour of his integrity and contribution to Uganda’s economy.
The other option is that Government allows Mutebile's family retain the BOU Governor's official residence (which is a government property) located in Kololo.
By virtue of his position as BOU Governor, Mutebile was entitled to a fully furnished house, which remains a property of Government and is withdrawn when the office bearer ceases to hold the office.
While paying tribute to the late Mutebile on Thursday in a Special Sitting, Bukooli Central MP Solomon Silwany moved a motion to amend the substantive motion presented by the Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, requesting that government provides a befitting house for Mutebile’s family.
“Government or Bank of Uganda should get an appropriate property for the family of the late Mutebile. This property or home should be for the family led by the widow. Late Mutebile was a very honest man who did not amass a lot of wealth despite being Governor for a very long time,” Silwany said. Silwany’s proposal was adopted by the House.
Deputy Speaker Anita Among told the House that while she attended the vigil at Mutebile’s home on Wednesday, the widow was puzzled about their next place of residence when they leave the official house. Anita Among tasked Bank of Uganda to ensure that Mutebile’s family has a place of abode. PM Nabbanja sought more time to discuss the proposal and inform the House accordingly.
Nabbanja eulogized the late Mutebile as “a diligent leader who immeasurably served Uganda with dedication and patriotism and participated in shaping the destiny of Uganda through modernization of Uganda's financial sector and designing and implementing economic and fiscal reform programs that have restored Uganda's economy.”
The Leader of Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga hailed Mutebile as a straight-forward person who spoke his mind without mincing his words. He also exalted him for rescuing Uganda’s economy from slipping into economic recession especially in the 1980s.
Before his demise, Mutebile had a distinguished career, serving in various capacities both in the public service of Uganda, the private sector and on the international arena. He served as Deputy Principal Private Secretary to the President from June 1979 to 1980, Acting Under Secretary, Ministry of Planning & Economic Development in 1981, Chief Government Planning Economist in 1982, Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning from 1992 to 1998 etc.
Among the top dignitaries who attended today’s special sitting include; former Vice President Edward Ssekandi, former Prime Ministers Ruhakana Rugunda and John Patrick Amama Mbabazi, Olara Otunu, , Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba, family members and Bank of Uganda officials led by Deputy Governor Michael Atingi-Ego etc.
Mutebile,72, succumbed to diabetes and other related ailments last Sunday in Nairobi, Kenya. According to Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of ICT, Mutebile will be given an official burial. He will be laid to rest on January 30 at his central home in Omuruhita, Kabale.
