Museveni eulogises Garuga for selfless service

Hundreds of mourners gathered in Kiragiro Village, Rugyeyo Sub-county in Kanungu District on August 11, to pay their last respects to businessman and philanthropist James Musinguzi Garuga, remembered for touching lives both in his community and across Uganda.

The send-off was led by Kinkiizi Diocese Bishop Dan Zoreka, assisted by his North Kigezi counterpart Onesmus Asiimwe.

Many political leaders from Opposition parties attended, including PPF’s Salamu Musumba and Wafula Oguttu, FDC’s Nandala Mafabi, and Gen Mugisha Muntu of the ANT. They hailed Garuga as a patriotic Ugandan and visionary businessman whose ventures spurred development.

President Museveni, represented by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, described Garuga’s death as a loss to the nation, Kanungu, and the business and agribusiness community.

“We have lost him at a time when we needed his knowledge and experience. His humanitarian gestures set him apart as a patriotic Ugandan who rose above political affiliation to use available resources for the benefit of his community and all Ugandans,” the President said in remarks delivered by Mr Tayebwa.

Mr Museveni noted Garuga’s commitment to uplifting the less privileged and his embrace of agriculture as proof of “leading by example.”

He contributed Shs20 million towards the burial, while Mr Tayebwa and his family added Shs10 million. Mr Tayebwa recalled Garuga’s personal generosity, citing 2005 when, as an FDC youth leader, Garuga offered him a free house in Makindye and allowed him to collect rent from its boys’ quarters for upkeep.

“When I later joined NRM, he urged me to serve people without segregation. His purposeful, impactful life will always be remembered. On tea growers’ pending payments, I assure you Shs74 billion owed will be paid, and the President will address this soon,” Mr Tayebwa added.

Dr Peace Musinguzi, Garuga’s widow, called for the establishment of specialised treatment centres in Uganda to reduce the need for patients to seek care abroad.

“We tried our best to save my husband, but God wanted him. It is not true that the government funded his businesses — he relied on bank loans,” she said. PPF’s Salamu Musumba delivered condolences from Dr Kizza Besigye.

Garuga is survived by a widow Dr Peace Musinguzi and four children ie Rowena, Alwyn, Johnie and Philip .