Warren Nyamugasira memorial lecture launched

Left - right: The executive director Community Development and Child Welfare Initiative (CODI) John Segujja, the executive director Uganda NGO Forum Richard Ssewakiryanga, Hon. Sheila Kwamara Woman MP Iganga district and the executive director Uganda Child NGO Network Stella Ayo sharing a light moment during the Warren Nyamugasira memorial lecture at Royal Suites in Bugolobi, Kampala on Thursday, March 23, 2017. Photo by Shamim Saad

The first memorial lecture to honor the life and works of the late Warren Nyamugasira, a prominent Ugandan economist and researcher has been launched with eulogies from different speakers.

Born in 1954, Nyamugasira who died last year was a major figure in the civil society organizations with over 35 years of experience in development work.

He was very passionate about issues concerning youth, for instance how they can have a stake in a stable and growing economy, poverty eradication, gender equality, the role of agriculture in the development of the country as well a columnist in the New Vision paper.

Giving a key note address during the lecture organized by Uganda National NGO forum, Sheila Kawamala Mishambi, the former member of East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) said Nyamugasira's role in the NGO sector for over 30 years is very crucial because despite the sector being under siege, he did not give up.

Recalling the days of black Monday movement, she said this was a very critical instrument in fighting corruption, but slowly, a few that were involved in the movement gave up due to fear of being arrested.

"Corruption is still at large in this country. As NGOs, we betrayed the cause of the movement and our people. The elites of this country have captured peoples' power and silenced them; we are not rooted within the people we claim to represent," she said.
"We have forgotten why we exist; there is lack of effective coordination amongst NGOs. To be able to realize the purpose for why we exist, we must re-organize ourselves and put our houses in order," she added.

The lecture attended by several representatives from different NGOs across the country took place at Royal Suites in Bugolobi on Thursday.

John De Coninck, the program adviser, Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda said Nyamugasira was among the few exceptional leaders in the country, very experienced, skilled, a manager, and economist with deeply rooted values with amazing ability to connect with people.

The executive director Community Development and Child Welfare Initiative (CODI), Luweero Triangle, John Segujja described Nyamugasira as genius, mentor who looked at someone and could tell they lacked some skills.

"As an executive director NGO Forum 2001-2008, he would even sermon board members to his office and tells you about the skills you lacked as an individual. He would then mentor you into a better person. His good leadership skills made us better people today," said Segujja

Stella Ayo-Odongo, the executive director of Uganda Child Rights NGO Network (UCRNN) described Nyamugasira as a mentor, inspirational speaker who greatly valued togetherness of NGOs, encouraging them to openly speak out against all forms of unfairness in the county.

She however said some NGOs are letting down Nyamugasira's legacy because they are not doing what he believed in. 

"A lot of us have no ideology, do not know what we stand for, cannot confidently speak about what we do, and can easily be swayed by anyone. For our organizations to stand the test of time, we must believe in what we do and do it passionately," she said

Richard Ssewakiryanga, executive director, Uganda National NGO Forum said every year, Nyamugasira memorial lecture will be organized to appreciate and recognize not only Nyamugasira but other people that have served the country especially in the NGO sector.