I join the multitudes of Ugandans here and abroad in mourning the passing of a great friend, Comrade Keith Muhakanizi.
Keith, as I fondly liked to call him- despite him being slightly over two decades older than me, was a humble civil servant who exuded confidence, forthrightness, grit, decisiveness, a sense of purpose, and patriotism.
My friend and senior Lawyer, Edgar Muvunyi Tabaro, has in one of our WhatsApp Groups, described him as a meticulous technocrat in the mold of Mzee James Kahooza- those who know this bold and straight-talking senior citizen.
Keith was an early riser. You had to see him at 7:00 am if he gave you an appointment. Perhaps, this is why he played an instrumental role in Uganda’s economic recovery in the 1990s. I call him the doyen of Uganda’s economic recovery that dates way back to the early 2000s.
As the Director of Budget and later as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, he implemented policies that led to macroeconomic stability, fiscal discipline, and economic growth.
Under his leadership, Uganda implemented a series of economic reforms that included liberalizing trade, reducing government spending, and improving tax collection. These policies helped to stabilize the economy, reduce inflation, and encourage foreign investment.
Muhakanizi also played a key role in negotiating debt relief with international financial institutions, which allowed Uganda to redirect resources toward social and economic development priorities.
He was instrumental in securing financing for infrastructure projects, such as roads and the expansion of the electricity grid.
In addition to his work in the Ministry of Finance, Muhakanizi served on several advisory boards and committees, including the East African Development Bank, the African Development Bank, and the World Bank.
Muhakanizi’s contribution to Uganda’s economic recovery was therefore significant, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of economists and policymakers in Uganda and beyond.
Inside and outside the office, Keith maintained a cable of ‘economic informers, critics, and debators.’ People like Andrew Mwenda, Godber Tumushabe, Dr. Fred Muhumuza, and Keto Kayemba, to name just a few. I was privileged to be part of this group but liked to operate underground.
Every year between March and May, Keith made it a point to call me to feel him in on the pulse of the economy and what I thought was going wrong, especially ‘the downtown economy.’ We debated. Shouted. Agreed to disagree. But importantly when my view seemed superior, he would carefully take notes without interjecting. I later understood, he maintained a cable of senior media practitioners- both critical of and pro-government, from whom he picked the real pulse of the nation. For this, I often joked that he was the real ‘CEO of Uganda Incorporated.’ He would laugh it off but retort: ‘You are just a cantankerous boy but fairly brainy.’
Keith dying at the age of 64 is painful. The country needed more of him. His death is a great loss to the nation, as he was a highly respected and influential figure in the country’s economic and political spheres.
I last met him in January this year at his office around the 7th Floor of the Office of the Prime Minister. He looked rejuvenated and I joked he had grown younger than me. He smiled back, but I could see he was not the usual Keith I knew and grew up to admire. Something wasn’t going well and his typical energy had whittled down.
His death should inform state actors about the urgent need to work out something about our health sector. We shall have honored him.
I agree with those who admit that during his tenure as Secretary to the Treasury, Muhakanizi played a pivotal role in shaping Uganda’s economic policies and ensuring financial stability. He was widely regarded as a skilled technocrat and a staunch advocate of fiscal discipline. His expertise in financial management and budgeting earned him recognition both at home and abroad, and he was a key figure in negotiations with international financial institutions.
Muhakanizi was also a close confidant of President Museveni, who relied on his counsel on a wide range of issues. He was one of the “blue-eyed men” of the President, a small group of trusted advisors who wielded significant influence in the government.
Outside of his official duties, Muhakanizi was known for his humility, integrity, and dedication to public service. He also loved his favorite ‘red dry’ wine and once bought me a full bottle in the company of businessman and comrade Ben Kavuya.
He was a mentor to many people like myself and several young economists and public servants, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Dial: 0772 486 962 or @RugyendoQuotes
Is a longtime journalist in Uganda who has served as a cab reporter, Bureau Chief, Managing Editor, and Digital Media Editor at the country's prominent publications such as Daily Monitor, Red Pepper, and now, Research Finds News since 1999.
Rugyendo is currently a Ph.D. Fellow in Journalism and Communication at Makerere University, a Desmond Tutu Fellow, Crans Montana New Leader, and Chairman of Young Engineers Uganda and Uganda Premier League.
