Catholic Church, banking fraternity mourn Dr. Kagugube

OBITUARY  LIFE 

Kampala - Tributes have been paid to Dr Simon Muwanga Seguya Kagugube, the former Executive Director of Centenary Bank and Chairman of the Board of Uganda Revenue Authority, who died at Nakasero Hospital on Saturday (February 15) at the age of 64.

Kagugube's tributes were delivered during his requiem mass at St. Charles Lwanga Catholic Church, Ntinda, in Nakawa Division on Monday (February 17).

Bishop Paul Ssemwogerere ( wearing a white mitre) and Msgr. John Baptist Kauta placing a wreath pn the casket of Dr. Simon Kagugube during the requiem mass at St. Charles Lwanga Catholic Church, Ntinda on Monday, February 17. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

 
Among the many people who eulogised Kagugube were the Catholic Bishops of Uganda, who in their condolence message delivered by their Secretary-General, Msgr. John Baptist Kauta praised Kagugube for his enormous contribution to the development of Centenary Bank.

"Dr Kagugube was a strong pillar, an outstanding member of the management of Centenary Bank for 17 years. He had passion for the Catholic Church and always worked hard to protect its institutions.

 
He led the bank with competence and protected it from closure, during the turbulent times when many banks were closed. Today Centenary Bank, our bank is the second-largest local bank in our country Uganda."

The Chairman of the Board of Centenary Bank, Gustavio Bwoch described Kagugube as an assertive leader with a high level of professionalism and fair stance.

"He had a great sense of humour and was pragmatic in his deliberations and execution of the bank's strategy and mission. He strongly believed in the bank's mission, values and respected humanity. He represented the bank on the global alliance for banking on values and helped it to embrace global reporting initiatives for sustainability reporting in order to create a balance in the Bank's performance on profit, people and planet.

 
 "He was passionate and engaging on matters of human capital management, risk management, regulatory and business compliance with policy procedures, business technology, legal and good corporate governance. His legacy includes preserving the Bank's shareholding structure and maintaining good shareholder relations.

"With his determination to distinguish Centenary Bank, he was a very strong proponent for the development of Mapeera House, the majority shareholders' dream which he together with the Board brought to reality. He was a good steward of our bank."

The MD of Centenary Bank, Fabian Kasi called Dr Kagugube a symbol of honesty, decency and fair-play, a relationship builder and good leader who cared for others.

"He taught us to love each other. He also taught us the virtuous principles of accountability, integrity, transparency, customer service and leadership. He was a real father of our 3,000-member family," said Kasi.

The Commissioner-General of Uganda Revenue Authority, Doris Akol described Kagugube as a leader of exceptional wisdom, who gave the authority good guidance, direction and continuous encouragement ever since he became its Board Chairman, in 2016.

The Governor of the Central Bank, Prof. Tumusiime Mutebile described Dr Kagugube as a humble leader of great intellect, who left an indelible mark in the business and finance sector. His message was delivered by the Central Bank Secretary, Susan Kanyemibwa.

Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga of Kampala Archdiocese described Kagugube as a humble professional, who served the Church and the country with utmost dedication.

Solome Kagugube, one of Dr Kagugube's youthful children, described her dad as a jolly, loving and caring dad. Remarks were also echoed by her siblings, William Kagugube and the ‘favourite child."

Others who paid tribute to Kagugube included the alumni of St. Mary's College Kisubi, who were represented by alumnus Charles Okoth.

Bishop Paul Ssemwogerere delivering his homily during the requiem mass for Dr. Simon Kagugube at St. Charles Lwanga Catholic Church, Ntinda on Monday, February 17. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

 
The requiem mass was presided over by the Bishop of Kasana-Luweero Diocese, Paul Semwogerere, who after paying tribute to Kagugube, asked the mourners to always be prepared to for death, by putting right their relationship with God.

Dr Kagugube will be buried Tuesday at his ancestral burial grounds at Mawagga, Mityana.

 

A brief on Kagugube

He was born to the late Joseph Seguya and Solome Katesigwa on January 7, 1956, at Albert Cook Hospital Mengo.

 He attended Namilyango Boys Junior School (1963-69), St Mary's College Kisubi (1970-75), Makerere University (LLB), Yale University, USA (Master of Law, Doctor of Law).

By the time of his death, he was the Executive Director of Centenary Bank and Board Chairman of Uganda Revenue Authority.

Dr Kagugube was a scholar, a man of profound service to the nation. In addition to his relentless commitment to Centenary Bank, through its journey into becoming a leading commercial bank, he served as its Board Chairman (2001/2002). He later joined its management as Executive Director, in 2003. He became the bank's Managing Director in 2009-10.

He later resumed the position of Executive Director until his passing.

Kagugube also served on several boards, the most prominent one being that of Uganda Revenue Authority.

He is survived by 10 children.