Final Bow: Keith Muhakanizi Buried with 11-Gun Salute

Ministers, Members of Parliament, staff of the Ministry of Finance, family members, relatives, friends and other dignitaries on Sunday took their final bows to pay their last respects to the Late Keith Muhakanizi.

They were led by the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Ramathan Ggoobi, his Deputy Ocailap, Under Secretary & Accounting Officer Dr Sengonzi, Directors and other Ministry of Finance Staff.

Muhakanizi, who has shaped Uganda’s modern economy for about 40 years, was laid to rest at Lwamayongo Village in Kabula, Lyantonde district, Western Uganda.

The casket of the deceased Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister was draped in national colours and guarded by the police.

He was accorded an 11-gun salute while his casket was lowered into the grave.

The Minister of State for General Duties, Henry Musasizi, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, eulogised the Late Muhakanizi as a man who dedicated his life to the service of Uganda (39 years) at MoFPED.

He said Keith was one of the stabilizers of Uganda’s modern economy.

Musasizi said Keith will always be remembered for his enormous contribution to revamping, restructuring and correcting the economic distortions of the 1970’s adding that he led reforms in public financial management, attracting investment, poverty reduction reforms, debt management etc.

Musasizi represented Finance Minister, Matia Kasaija, at the final send-off of Keith Muhakanizi.

“Fare thee well to the disciplinarian, hardworking, dependable, reliable, exemplary and distinguished public servant.”

Bishop Onesimus Asiimwe of North Kigezi, in his sermon, said Keith has left an indelible legacy.

The Bishop said Life is short, death is a reality, sin is the cause and Jesus is the Answer, adding that it is very important to establish a special relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Late Keith was described as a Christian and family man who demonstrated his faith with works, sharing his Christian work with others and contributing to building churches (St. Stephen’s church Lyantonde) and schools in the area.

President Museveni, in a speech read for him by the Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, hailed Muhakanizi and other fallen economists like Bank of Uganda Governor Prof Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile, Chris Kasami (former permanent secretary and secretary to the treasury at the finance ministry), for being instrumental in expanding and diversifying the economy.

He said Muhakanizi particularly contributed to several aspects of Uganda’s economic and financial management reforms like liberalisation and privatisation of the economy to eliminate unnecessary controls and distortions, and public debt management and his legacy will never die.