Former Central Bank Executive Director Eng. Johnson Mubangizi is dead

By Asiimwe Kareire

Johnson Mubangizi the former executive director administration overseeing Human Resource (HR), procurement, security and physical buildings has died. According to a close relative, Engineer Mubangizi succumbed to the cancer of the liver.

Until his death, Johnson Mubangizi was one of the few registered engineers in the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) with valid and certified engineering certificates.

He retired from his active service in the Central Bank of Uganda in July, 2010 and was replaced by Emmanuel Kalule, who was then Head of Corporate Strategy.

Mubangizi was born in Burungamo, Ngarama, Bukanga county in Insigiro district of Western Uganda. The retired Central Bank Executive Director, was also a prominent farmer. Engineer Johnson Mubangizi, owned several arches of banana plantations, where he would earn $3000 per month.

Obituary

Two years ago, my cousin Nimusiima Herbert called me using him mobile phone; telling me he was coming over to see and visit Engineer Johnson Mubangizi. Hardly did he tell me the would be host was a patient.

Upon meeting Nimusiima, he had herded  several people in his salon car. However, most of them were religious leaders; reverends to be precise. I joined the group that was heading to Engineer Johnson Mubangizi’s home.

I was invited to join the group because they did not know his home. I later led them to Ntida, near Ndere Centre, where Engineer Johnson Mubangizi’s home is.

Upon reaching the place it was misa (mass) as Roman Catholic call it. It was a big prayers day. The church leaders conducted a very successful mass and concluded it with a holy communion.

After prayers, Engineer Mubangizi told us (guests) how  he was slaughtered in India, removed part of his liver and threw it away. That his liver was infected with cancer and they had to cut it off to prevent it from further destruction. Eng. Mubangizi thanked God who had healed him, but he said he underwent unprecedented pain after the operation.

However, He assured us that he was then fit and had no problems. Among the guests that day was Dr. Mutungi from Ministry of Health and Reverend Fr. Henry Mbikize, who comforted us and everyone present, thanking God. Today, however, God has decided otherwise.  The giant of Burungamo has fallen. May his soul be in the book of saints.