{"id":8810,"date":"2023-04-23T13:50:23","date_gmt":"2023-04-23T13:50:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ugandaupdatenews.com\/?p=8810"},"modified":"2023-04-23T13:50:29","modified_gmt":"2023-04-23T13:50:29","slug":"president-museveni-salutes-the-late-muhakanizi-for-his-contribution-to-fix-ugandas-economy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/president-museveni-salutes-the-late-muhakanizi-for-his-contribution-to-fix-ugandas-economy\/","title":{"rendered":"President Museveni salutes the late Muhakanizi for his contribution to fix Uganda\u2019s economy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Our Reporters <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

President Yoweri Museveni has paid tribute to the late Keith Muhakanizi- one of his blue eyed economists who helped fix Uganda’s economy after the 1980s liberation bush war .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was aware that he was undergoing treatment for cancer in Turkey. When I last met him, he was very optimistic that the cancer had gone,\u201d Museveni donning an army jacket told mourners during an official State funeral at Kololo independence grounds .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMuhakanizi was definitely a hard worker. Because in my struggles, I needed figures and Muhakanizi had all the figures,\u201d the President added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Museveni recalled that a young Muhakanizi, Former Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance Chris Kasami, former bank of Uganda Governor Tumusiime Mutebile and the current Deputy Governor Bank of Uganda Michael Atingi-Ego whom he found in the system when he came from the bush were key in the minimum economic recovery, its expansion, diversification and the now new economy of science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThose young economists belonged to the thinking of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. They really believed in the analysis and the strategy of the IMF and the world bank. They are the ones who advised me to merge the two ministries; that of finance and one of planning and economic development,\u201d Museveni stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He saluted the group for controlling inflation when the advocated free market forces to determine the price of commodities including the exchange rate and encouraging the private sector-led growth of the economy. They also cautioned him against the minimum wage with a view it would undermine the growth of the economy like Uganda that has excess manpower compared to the jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd I was persuaded by that line and that\u2019s how I have been able to resist the pressure of the Labour unions to artificially put out the price of Labour even when we don\u2019t have enough jobs to give them. So definitely their group contributed to our recovery, but we can do more if they also listen to our advice of structural changes,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Museveni said that it was through their contribution that led to the recovery of the economy to grow from 1.5 billion dollars in 1986 to now 50 billion dollars. He however tasked the new Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance and other economists to grow the economy further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI appeal to you; I want this economy to grow from 50 billion to 500 billion dollars and we can do it. Why? Because we already have the raw materials like coffee, maize etc. If we add value to many of these raw materials the economy can jump from the present level to a high middle-income economy of about 500 billion dollars,\u201d Museveni said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m very sorry that Muhakanizi died when he was very useful, but he made his contribution so it\u2019s up to you people to do your own contribution. I commend his contribution and may his soul rest in eternal peace.\u201d The widow Janet Muhakanizi said her late husband stubborn but focused, patient, developmental and a very faithful person who loved his work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She thanked President Museveni for trusting him with national service for which he enjoyed especially at the Ministry of finance and the office of the Prime Minister which eventually became part of his other family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wish to thank the country for the love and support you have shown to us and in the difficult times while he was in hospital in Turkey and Milan. In this we get comfort and encouragement to continue his legacy, to emulate his good deeds and to always remember him in a special way,\u201d Janet Muhakanizi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said Muhakanizi as a very hardworking, intelligent and sincere public servant whose contribution will always be remembered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Office of the Prime Minister has greatly benefited from his attributes. We have lost him at a time when the OPM needed him most. We promise to sustain his legacy,\u201d Nabbanja noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Cabinet Secretary and Head of Public Service Lucy Nakyobe said Muhakanizi\u2019s legacy in public service spanning over 40 years was full of dedication and passion. She said Muhakanizi was a rare breed of economists – who had the courage to speak out honestly and directly, a character that is rare among most public servants of today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe was an asset to the public service because of his knowledge, courage, decisiveness and good time management. Keith was not afraid to confront wrongdoing and to speak the hard truth,\u201d Nakyobe said, adding that the deceased confronted her many times for not reigning in on the Ministers who had made his work very difficult -by among others raiding government stores and interfering with government procurement processes to steal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nakyobe thanked the deceased for the cordial working relationship at a time when she was the State House comptroller. \u201cEven when you came with directives from the President, he would always require that you put everything in writing. He was very principled,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Matia Kasaija said Muhakanizi remained instrumental even after his transfer from the Ministry of Finance and always offered advice to him and the new Permanent Secretary. Kasaija described Muhakanizi together with former Bank of Uganda Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile and others as grandparents of Uganda\u2019s modern economy who endured sacrifices to rebuild Uganda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMr. Muhakanizi spearheaded a number of reforms which have helped the government to foster economic growth, attract investments, reduce poverty, improve budget and transparency and restore fiscal discipline,\u201d Kasaija said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The brother of the deceased Dennis Abasa spoke about Muhakanizi as a pillar and very supportive to not only their family but to all Ugandans . He thanked widow Janet Muhakanizi who stood with their brother throughout his life until his demise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prof. William Bazeyo, who was the late Muhakanizi\u2019s personal doctor, his client was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer in 2018. Muhakanizi was enrolled on an aggressive treatment regime including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and stem-cell transplant,. \u201cHe was very resilient, he believed he would recover and come back to life,\u201d Prof Bazeyo said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The State Minister for Internal Affairs Gen. David Muhoozi who is a brother to Janet Muhakanizi relayed condolences to the family for the loss of Keith who was a family pillar. He said the former Permanent Secretary loved his work and thanked President Museveni for trusting Muhakanizi with national responsibilities over the years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe was always in a hurry to finish business and understood the value of time. He studied, walked and loved economics. He was very confident in what he believed in, openly expressing his thoughts,\u201d Gen. Muhoozi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Background history <\/strong>
Keith Muhakanizi was born on 24th November 1957 to Rev. Kosia and Zerida Kajwenge (RIP), in Kitojo, Buyanja, Rukungiri District. He was the 3rd born of Seven (7) children, in a family of Born-again revivalists (Abaishemwe). In 1990, he married Janet Kamukama, with whom God blessed them with children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was appointed Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury in May 2013, a position he held until July 2021 when he was appointed Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the national official funeral were government dignitaries who included former national leaders ,among others-the Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, the Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua, Former Prime Ministers Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda and Amama Mbabazi and the NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Others were ministers; Gen. Katumba Wamala (Works and Transport), Gen Jim Muhwezi (Security), Babirye Milly Babalanda (Presidency), Gen. David Muhoozi (Internal Affairs), Francis Mwebesa (Trade, Industry and Cooperatives), Hilary Onek (Disaster Preparedness), Bright Rwamirama (Animal Industry) Gen Moses Ali (2nd Deputy Prime Minister) Ruth Nankabirwa (Energy & Mineral Development) Kasule Lumumba (General duties), Henry Musaasizi (State for Finance.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muhakanizi\u2019s body has been raid to rest at his Kabula country home in Lyantonde district .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editor: msserwanga@gmail.com<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Our Reporters President Yoweri Museveni has paid tribute to the late Keith Muhakanizi- one of his blue eyed economists<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8811,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[164],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8810","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tribute"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Keith-Muhakanizi-funeral-service-at-Kololo-32-scaled-e1682178205896-750x375-1.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":8737,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/former-secretary-to-treasury-and-one-of-president-museveni-s-blue-eyed-men-keith-muhakanizi-has-passed-on-aged-64\/","url_meta":{"origin":8810,"position":0},"title":"Former Secretary to Treasury and one of President Museveni’ s blue eyed men Keith Muhakanizi has passed on aged 64","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"April 13, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Controversial renowned Ugandan economist who had running battles with President yoweri Museveni over economic policy issues -long serving Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance & Secretary to the Treasury Keith Muhakanizi, has passed on at a Italian hospital where he was receiving treatment for a long illness. 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