I listened with utter shock at the eulogy of the Leader of the opposition as the Ugandan Parliamentarians paid tribute to the fallen Governor Bank of Uganda at Parliament today 27th January 2022.
Mpuuga went on a rant to say that Mutebile has left Uganda in the uncomfortable company of Burundi and South Sudan amongst Countries that have talked about middle income status for many years and failed to attain it.
He also said that Mutebile has left behind leaders who are selling the parish Development Model as a miracle economic transformational tool that will uplift our country from poverty to prosperity. He made more ridiculous utterances that exposed his lack of respect for the dead but his lack of knowledge of the journey Uganda has been on.
At the level of Mpuuga, one expects such a lawyer and exposed politician to know that Mutebile’s Contribution to this Nation is one of the many efforts and hands that has seen Uganda where we are.
Uganda’s economy advanced by 3.8% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2021, following a revised record 12.9% rise in the previous three-month period. It was the third consecutive quarter of expansion, but at a much softer pace, amid fading low base effects from the pandemic shock last year. This is all due to the different efforts made in the right direction.
World Bank Economists have projected Uganda’s economy to grow by 5.2 per cent within the first quarter of 2022 and 5.9 percent in the second quarter, challenges of the Covid 19 pandemic still withstanding. But Mathias Mpuuga is saying that the Initiative of the Parish development Model is a waste of time. How pathetic. What makes it more pathetic is that Mpuuga knows that Uganda is on the right track but just wants to behave like a leader of opposition by taking advantage of every microphone opportunity to back at government as he continues to enjoy the privileges of the office of LOP.
The parish model which Mpuuga thinks cannot aid the development of the country is already rolled out. I think it would be prudent for him to support government efforts to change people’s lives. Development must start somewhere and that somewhere is not in making empty talk submissions in times when the Country is grieving a statesman like Mutebile.
It is sad that in eulogizing the fallen governor, Mathias Mpuuga felt it convenient to still be political and raise the issues that should be raised in the plenary sessions or even in the relevant committees. If Parliament hasn’t offered an opportunity to raise the issues of the economy and development, the media would also be a great avenue to vent out not when there are family members and the rest of the country morning.
My understanding of a tribute is that it is an act, statement, or gift that is intended to show gratitude, respect, or admiration for someone. In the four pages written by the Honorable, there seems to be no admiration of the fallen Comrade. I am glad that colleagues like Hon. Chris Baryomunsi, Hon. Wilfred Niwagaba, Hon. Barnabas Tinkasimire and others stood up to those that wanted to turn the tribute session into a political debate. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi asked the legislators to focus and separate the funeral celebrations from politics.
Just like any other citizen in this country, it is good to let the world know that Prof. Emmanuel Mutebile had a great contribution to this nation. Prof. Mutebile served this nation in different capacities as a Secretary to the President in 1979, Economist with the Ministry of planning from 1981 to 1984, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development in 1993 until he has appointed to the Governor bank of Uganda a position he held until his death on 23 January 2022, at the age of 72.
He was a great economist and policymaker who made influential contributions to Uganda’s economic development (and policies elsewhere in Africa) and to the education sector in East Africa as a Lecturer.
“Mutebile was influential in the introduction of medium-term fiscal frameworks and transparent budgeting. This was vital and contributed to the effect of transparently making explicit trade-offs that policymakers were making.” Abebe Aemro Selassie, director African department, International Monetary Fund
This policy did not only work in Uganda but other countries matched and implemented in their countries. He knew when to focus beyond monetary aggregate to control the countries inflation. This created a sustainable economy that Ugandans have enjoyed for years despite the challenges.
Dr. Peter Njoroge, governor Central Bank of Kenya, sent his condolence messages and while our dear Honorable could not state any of his achievements, the neighbors had this to say, “Prof Mutebile led the Bank of Uganda with distinction during a critical time. During his tenure as governor and secretary to the Treasury, he helped Uganda transition to a market-led economy. Crucially, Prof Mutebile led the transformation of the Bank of Uganda, including anchoring independence in the constitution. He also worked tirelessly to forge closer links within the East African Community. He worked with his fellow Central Bank governors to harmonize policies leading to the implementation of the East African Monetary Union.”
With all these good things to say about Prof. Mutebile, Mathias Mpuga was blind of the times and decided to go on the see me side of politics by raising quite irrelevant points to the floor of parliament.
As the celebration for the honest Mukiiga and son of this country goes on as he gets laid to rest on 30th January 2022, he leaves a legacy of good economic structures, policies, systems, and leaders that will carry it forward.
