The Kigezi Sub-region is mourning the death of prominent businessman, political financier, and philanthropist Dr. James Musinguzi Garuga, who passed away on Wednesday at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala, where he had been receiving treatment.
Garuga, a resident of Kanungu District was a key political figure in Uganda’s opposition movement and a founding supporter of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party. He rose to national prominence in the early 2000s as a close ally of former FDC President Dr. Kizza Besigye, offering crucial logistical and financial backing during the Reform Agenda era, a time of fierce resistance against the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.
Lydia Turyahumura, the former FDC Chairperson for Kabale District and now Chairperson of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), described Garuga as “a great pillar” in the founding and development of the FDC.
Turyahumura added that Garuga not only sponsored political offices in various districts but also personally paid rent and supported grassroots mobilization.
Beyond politics, Garuga invested heavily in development projects, particularly in the Kigezi sub-region. He was a pioneer in tea farming and tourism, with major contributions to education and infrastructure in Kanungu District and surrounding areas.
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Wilkens Arinaitwe, the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) Chairperson for Kabale District, hailed Garuga as a visionary who championed the “Grow More Tea in Kigezi” campaign.
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Eng. Ivan Mbabazi Batuma, Chairperson of the Kigezi Tourism Cluster, described Garuga as a towering figure in regional development.
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Kisoro District LC5 Chairperson, Abel Bizimana, paid an emotional tribute, calling Garuga a mentor and statesman. Dr. Garuga leaves behind a legacy of political courage, regional development, and unwavering patriotism. His contributions will be remembered for generations.
