Makerere occupied a Special place in Professor Tumusiime Mutebile’s heart- Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe

Professor Mutebile said, “Uganda has made impressive strides in both the economic and political areas during the last 30 years. We have overcome those painful days of our history and moved on. I am proud to be associated with the policies that have brought about the restoration of the economy.”

Makerere University occupied a special place in the late Professor Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile’s heart, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe has said.

Nawangwe who is Makerere University Vice Chancellor said Professor Mutebile always honored our invitation to events held at the University.

“Makerere occupied a special place in Professor Tumusiime Mutebile’s heart. He always honored our invitation to events and at the time of his departure, he had expressed willingness to participate in stakeholder mobilization as we hold yearlong celebrations to mark 100 years of existence. We shall dearly miss his contribution to our centenary celebrations,” Nawangwe said.

He welcomed all guests to the first ever Tumusiime Mutebile lecture which was held at the University on April 28, 2022 and the second discourse in the Mak@100 lecture series.

“In a special way, I welcome our keynote speaker and Secretary to the Treasury Ramathan Ggoobi back to his alma matar, Makerere University. As a gallant alumnus, your achievement both in the lecture room and research realm are a great source of pride especially as we celebrate 100 years of impactful existence and service to society,” Professor Nawangwe said.

He also extended his warm and special welcome to the family of the late Professor Mutebile. “Thank you for honoring our invitation on this day when we recognize the legacy of a former guild president, great scholar, seasoned economist and honorary professor who served as Governor Bank of Uganda for 21 years and also as the Chairman of Makerere University Private Sector Forum,” Nawangwe added.

Nawangwe recalled what Professor Mutebile has said on the occasion of the inauguration of the Tumusiime Mutebile Chair in Monetary Policy and Finance and laying of the Foundation stone of the Tumusiime Mutebile center of Excellence in private sector development on October 27, 2015.

Professor Mutebile said, “Uganda has made impressive strides in both the economic and political areas during the last 30 years. We have overcome those painful days of our history and moved on. I am proud to be associated with the policies that have brought about the restoration of the economy.”

“Ladies and gentlemen this is the man whose contribution we are gathered here to celebrate. As his Alma mater Makerere University is extremely proud to host this first of the annual lecture in commemoration of Prof. Mutebile legacy. Makerere eUniversity is also proud of having made her contribution in shaping up the life of this great son of Africa,” Nawangwe further added.

He took the opportunity to thank the Government of Uganda and particularly the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for supporting research and innovation at Makerere University through the research and innovation Fund.

“We thank you Mr. Ggoobi for accepting to deliver the first Tumusiime Mutebile annual lecture, we equally look forward to hearing from you on how we as an institution can better position ourselves to solve societal challenges and lead economic recovery and resilience efforts at national level. But I am sure that you are aware that Makerere University has the potential to help you to transform the economy of this country. If you need one partner whom you are sure if you send money there it will be used for what you sent and that there will be results, it will be Makerere University,” Nawangwe revealed.

He said the University had demonstrated this during the Covid-19 period. “The whole response on Covid was based on what we at Makerere University advised the Government on what to do. There are a lot of innovations coming out of this country and if you invest here wisely, the economy of this country will change drastically in a very short time,” Nawangwe insisted.