Top politicians across the country are paying tribute to tycoon Hajji Bulaimu Muwanga Kibirige, popularly known by his acronym BMK, who has died at the age of 67.

Kibirige, the owner of BMK group of companies, died of cancer on Friday at a Nairobi hospital where he had been admitted for some time.

 Among those celebrating his life was security minister Maj Gen (rtd) Jim Muhwezi, who said the businessman was one of Uganda's best entrepreneurs.

“I join the rest of the country to mourn the sudden demise of my brother, friend, and one of Uganda's best entrepreneurs. You have gone from our sight, but you will never leave our hearts. Fare-thee-well, BMK,” the minister tweeted. 

Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago described the deceased as a great entrepreneur, philanthropist and industrious person.

He asked Allah (God) to grant the Primary Seven dropout who built a successful business chain Paradise (Jannah).

Kampala minister Hajjat Minsa Kabanda said “surely Allah takes what is His and what He gives is His, and to all things is an appointed time”.

“Deeply saddened by the passing of one of Uganda’s celebrated businessmen BMK,” she tweeted.

Veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda said BMK was an icon of Uganda indigenous enterprise who has left them a legacy, the book titled My Story of Building a Fortune in Africa.

In his book which was launched a few months ago, BMK documents his journey while providing insights into what it takes to succeed as a businessman.

“Through this book, BMK will continue to live, to teach and to inspire us. RIP,” he said.

Katerera County MP Mohammed Kato said BMK would be remembered for his honesty, entrepreneurship and generosity.

“He inspired humanity by establishing businesses across the world,” he noted.

Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA) also tweeted, saying it's a sad day here at UHOA.

“We are deeply saddened by the demise of our beloved founding father Hajji. Dr. BMK. He has left a big gap in the hotel sector, may his soul rest in perfect peace. Loudly crying face #heartbroken,” they tweeted.

National Resistance Movement eastern region vice chairperson and former MP Captain Mike Mukula said that in BMK, they have lost one of the most enterprising people in Uganda.

He described him as very humble, jovial, generous, religious, extremely understanding, patriot and a nationalist.

“Hajji Kibirige was a close brother who I worked with very closely. My deepest condolences to the family,” he said.

The ministry of tourism also took to Twitter and said: “What a blow to the tourism fraternity! We are deeply saddened by the passing of a prolific entrepreneur, BMK. He has exceedingly and immensely contributed to the tourism, hospitality and private sector in Uganda and beyond.”

A son of Hajji Ali Kibirige, a successful businessman in his own right, and Mariam Kibirige, BMK was introduced to the world of business by his father when he was barely 14 years in 1966.