By Tracy Acen Oiko and Mmeeme Leticia Luwenze,
OBITUARY:
The Forum for Democratic Change- FDC has morned the death of Bank of Uganda Governor, Prof Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile which occured yesterday in Nairobi.
“We extend our condolences to the family, BOU & the country upon the passing of Central Bank Governor Emmanuel Mutebile,” FDC mourns
However, they were quick to note that Governor Mutebile struggled to stabilize Ugandan Shilling during the critical time he served at the helm of the country’s central bank.
Prof. Mutebile died in the wee hours of Sunday at Aghakhan Hospital, Nairobi on life support.
Patrick Oboi Amuriat, the FDC president says Mutebile was held hostage by President Yoweri Museveni and “struggled throughout his tenure at Bank of Uganda to stabilize the shilling he undermined by printing extra money to sustain the regime.”
“Because of the over hatching influence of the regime on bank of Uganda, the economy is on drip,” he said on Monday.
He noted that Uganda borrows more than Shs 7 trillion annually to pay salaries of government employees and to fund other recurrent expenditure something he believes has kept interest rates high.
FDC further blames Prof Mutebile for the failing economy in the country.
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“Mutebile has been the regime’s principal economic advisor &he takes a big share of the blame for its failed economic policies. Bank of Uganda was turned into a Museveni wallet.” FDC said
FDC remimded Ugandans of the Sh19 billion which he (Mutebile) dished out to tycoon Basajjabalaba during his time as the Chairperson of the NRM entrepreneur’s league on orders of the president.
“Remember the first Shs 19 billion bailout to Bassajjabalaba, NRM chairman for entrepreneur’s league then and the Shs 142 billion fictitious compensation to the same man.”
FDC further accuses government of keeping hostage Prof Mutebile saying that he should have retired from office before his death.
“His death in Nairobi speaks volumes about the hailing health facilities in the country. And Mutebile did not have to die in office. He has been unwell for a number of years and ought to have vacated office”, FDC added
Mutebile’s fourth tenure of office had expired but in 2021, president Museveni re-appointed him as the governor of Bank of Uganda for the a fifth term.
This FDC believes there is something between Mutebile and Museveni.
