James Mulwana Tributes

GOVERNMENT CONDOLENCE MESSAGE

Government of Uganda learnt with shock and sorrow the sudden death of the Honorary Consul for the Royal Kingdom of Thailand, James Mulwana who passed away on Tuesday January 14TH 2013. Mulwana will be remembered as a genuine industrialist and philanthropist who contributed to the development of Uganda and Africa as a whole. Read full message here

ABID ALAM, CEO ALAM GROUP OF COMPANIES, FORMER CHAIRMAN UGANDA MANUFACTURER’S ASSOCIATION

“One of the most serious people I have ever met who turned words into action… he pushed business, organized the manufacturers. A very big loss to the private sector and the country as a whole.”

DR MAGGIE KIGOZI, FORMER UGANDA INVESTMENT AUTHORITY MANAGING DIRECTOR

“He was definitely the leader of the private sector, he revitalized UMA and helped create the Private Sector Foundation of Uganda (PSFU). More than anyone else he realized and appreciated that there had to be constant engagement between business and government and he was instrumental in keeping this dialogue running.”

JAPHETH KATO, CEO CAPITAL MARKETS AUTHORITY

“He has been one of the biggest contributors to corporate Uganda, in terms of his business and the boards he has sat on…. He was a leading lightin issues of governance in this country …. His involvement was widespread in the church, in the kingdom and as a honorary counsel. We need to thank god for the gift Mulwana and for us who have b een left behind we need to learn from his example.”

JOHN NAGENDA, PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR ON MEDIA

“I have never met someone so determined to rise above his humble beginnings….a very sober person, he always gave good counsel wisdom that he picked up from his own practical experience ….he was a one off, I don’t expect to see another person like him in Uganda. He was a great Ugandan.”

ANDREW RUGASIRA, FOUNDER AND CEO OF GOOD AFRICAN COFFEE

“He came out of a period where there were few local entrepreneurs and industrialists, he inspired a whole generation of business people, from a humble beginning he scaled great heights….he was a great voice for the private sector, great champion of improving the business environment of Uganda, he was institution and a testimony to the power of hard work and integrity.”

SUDHIR RUPARAELIA, CEO CRANE GROUP OF COMPANIES

“He was a great leader, inspiration and icon for us Uganda businessmen … his  championing of the cause of businessmen will be his legacy to this country.”

CHARLES MBIIRE, CHAIRMAN MTN

“He represented the acceptable face of capitalism, he was an honest man and he knew perserverence. He stood for integrity for us associated with him he infected us with his spirit. He was my mentor and he used to say politics is not business and business is not politics.”

CHARLES OCIICI, CEO ENTERPRISE UGANDA

“He was the founding chairman of Enterprise Uganda …. He will remain a class apart when the history of the private sector is written. In his own endevours he showed that despite a very challenging environment one can steer clear of shortcuts and achieve great success. He was selfless in championing the cause of the private sector as a whole … he distilled the ingredients of business success for the local Africans into three things, he counseled they patience, savings and a simple lifestyle and warned against habouring jealousy. His death is a huge loss and may his soul rest in peace.”

PATRICK BITATURE, CHAIRMAN OF UMEME
Mulwana has been a mentor and an invaluable board member of the company. It is going to be difficult to imagine business in Uganda without the icon who was at the heart of the industrialization of Uganda.

BENJAMIN ODOKI, CHIEF JUSTICE
He has been a model entrepreneur who has struggled very hard to reach the top from the bottom of the ladder. He has been an example of a person who is not educated but very intelligent and can use the resources available to create jobs for others. He has been a man of integrity with dignified leadership skills, very friendly and has been one of those eminent Ugandans who it will take long to replace.

SARAH EPERU, FDC DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON FOR THE PARTY’S WOMEN LEAGUE
He was a peace-loving Ugandan with dignity. He was a great person that the country will miss. He united Uganda manufacturers in the country. It is really a big loss for the country.  Mulwana unlike other industrialists has never been accused of encroaching on wetlands or polluting the environment.  He respected culture, religion and the rule of law. He was a genuine and responsible investor,” Eperu noted.

KENNETH KAKANDE, DEMOCRATIC PARTY OFFICIAL
Uganda has lost a great entrepreneur and businessman. It is unfortunate that we have lost such a great hardworking person. He created employment for so many Ugandans out of his own efforts and hard work. He worked wholeheartedly and with excellence.

JOSEPH BOSSA, UGANDA PEOPLE’S CONGRESS PARTY OFFICIAL
We still needed him as a developing country. He was never cited in any scandal. He has left a legacy and we hope other entrepreneurs will learn from his good practices.

AUDIENCE REACTIONS TO HIS DEATH

TIM
Uganda is losing refined citizens while gaining crude characters.... RIP James

LEO S.P KIVUMBI TIM
Crude characters multiply as the good ones die off. It is really frustrating.

VINCENT WATOLYA
Every plastic in my house I call it Mulwana. The battery in my Car I call it Mulwana.Whenever I pass at the UMA grounds I feel his presence telling me to branch and check on the new items that have come on market. He ran the race and he completed his potion. Who will pick up the burton from him? Uncle James rest in a well-deserved peace!

MUGABE
He was a man who was so down to earth he was a leader RIP

YUSUF
Some of us have learned a lot by just observing him, e.g. don't drink alcohol in order to be more successful in business; have a small family to minimize essential expenditure. Bwana James Mulwana rest in peace.

STEVE
We lost a great man and that is why we must prepare for our eternal destiny in life by taking Christ as our personal savior.

Billy Patrick Tumusiime
Oh my God, What a loss to the nation!!!!. So many lessons left behind for others to learn from him and the legacy left behind, May your soul rest in peace

MUNANURA R
R.I.P. James. Uganda has lost a fine Entrepreneur.

ED EDMOND
A true hero, entrepreneur, and a man who employed thousands (caring for hundreds) of families will be missed by a disorganized nation Uganda he has supported for so long. R.I.P

ADOLF
`Profound shock at hearing this sad news.RIP.

PAUL
We've lost a nationalist.

MAGUNDA
RIP. James Mulwana.

FAHAD MAWANDA
So sad to learn about his death. Ugandans will miss his business skills.

UGANDAN
This is sad news for Uganda, particularly the business sector.

MUCHIE BRYAN
Wealth and humble, creative and innovative, hardworking and visionary......that’s the man Uganda has just lost....R.I.P JAME MULWANA.

UGANDA SAFARIS
May the Almighty God rest his soul in eternal peace and judge him with mercy.IN Jesus Christ’s might name AMEN

KATO
In a land beleaguered by ceaseless chaos and greed, James Mulwana was a tower of hope and inspiration. He changed the landscape, he was different, he was humble, and he respected all. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

ANN
RIP, Mzee, you played your role, let all us emulate, and continue his legacy

SEWANKAMBO JOHN
James has lived by example for the whole of his life. We still needed him but heaven couldn't wait any longer. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

MOSES.M
Rest In Peace..... Sir James Mulwana.

ELIR APUGAN
This is a great loss to our country. Rest in peace.

BOKA
Mulwana, rest in pace.

GODDDY
There is no God that bear witness against the poor, but an unjust god that bear witness against the humble & innocent, otherwise in Mulwana’s place you know for whom the bell should have tolled! Go well James, we shall join you there

DAWOUD
Now Uganda has lost a VISIONARY citizen. R.I.P!

MUSOMESA
We just lost a brilliant guy RIP

VICENT
We need to learn to appreciate and express our love for others while they are still alive

RICHIE
May his soul rest in eternal peace

SODHA OWE BOMBO
i think it is very sad .we have lost Mulwanga,and senga,these were best people of our time. Pray to god for rip and god may bestow strength to loved ones. nayee kitalo nyo

OSCAR K. MUHUMUZA
It's natural to feel sad over the death of such a fine role model but death has to be embraced at his fair senior age after all he has lived his life so well. An annual memorial lecture for the benefit of future entrepreneurs is a must. There are many lessons to be emulated from his life's story.

JERRY DUBLIN OSCAR K. MUHUMUZA
Brilliant idea Oscar. i have always passed and admired his diary farm in Busunju. He actually sold me some bulls to start my own farm. i just couldn’t stop appreciating his style of work. He employed so many and gave you advice whenever you met him on how to do business. iam truly saddened by his untimely death. May the lord comfort his people during these trying moments

LEO S.P KIVUMBI JERRY DUBLIN
Memorial lectures don`t work in Uganda. As soon as a speaker starts comparing Mulwana with the selfish people who have done little and took much, you can be sure that the lecture will be banned.

SAM NAMANYA
R.I.P! DeaR comrades, we have lost a library of ideas.

ISAAC
Down to earth, Non Partisan, Not Political Brilliant Business man. RIP JM

SIMEO NSUBUGA
May His Soul rest in eternal peace.

EDWIN
Why do the good ones have to leave? RIP Mulwana.

KIYEMBA GRACE
Jessa diary ,i will leave to remember the Mulwana one of the few honest tycoons with a clean record of business in Uganda he has been my role model may his soul rest in eternal peace

WABEYA MK
Sad News, Uganda has lost a hero.

DENIS
Big loss to Uganda!!

LYDIA SSOZI
Oh my God!!! Uganda has lost a true Nationalist who had Uganda at heart. May his soul rest in peace

RUTH
Sad news about my mentor, the person i admired alot because of his humble ways to every one

TITUS
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and the entire nation during this difficult time. James Mulwana will always be in my heart and memories

SEKYEWA
A moment of silence, indeed i was looking up to him for what he has done for our country... standing all the challenges in terms of political turmoil, economic depression, etc. But in all we say let the Almighty receive him with joy. it is an honour to leave behind a celebrated name to reckon with at all times.RIP

JOLLY
The whole nation is in shock. What a loss. RIP James Mulwana

JOHN MUSISI
Dear Mr. Mulwana, it is so sad to learn that you have gone so suddenly. Perhaps if our health care system was not too dysfunctional, you would still be here with us. We thank the Lord for your splendid contribution to this country. You were true to your values. You never got your hands soiled with scandals unlike many gray-haired men who just gobble up everything they touch. May the good Lord rest you in peace.

OKELLO MUREFU
RIP James Mulwana you were a true gentleman. You shall be missed.

UGANDAN
May his soul rest in peace

MURASIRA CHARLES
Am united with my fellow commentators on this forum in wishing this true Ugandan industrialist that the Lord Almighty receive him in his flock.

ROBERT
A great Man! He will surely, be missed and May his soul rest in eternal peace and glory.

LYDIA
Such a loss to the country! I hope his empire will live long after him. My sons enjoy JESA milk and yorghut.......RIP Mr Mulwana, arguably the most enterprising man that ever graced this country.

SMITH
An example of life well-lived. In Mr Mulwana, Uganda, mourns a great citizen. I have never read his name in the scandals.

CLOVE
Real sad to lose a person of such qualities!! RIP, and may the GOOD LORD comfort your family during this sorrowful period.

BEDDY
RIP, Mr. Mulwaana. God Gives and God Berieves. However, age has also reminded its presence, as health complications are usually associated. Internal organs get old also.

ANNE MATOVU
R.I.P James Mulwana,believe that the good lord will see your family through and continue to comfort them in this trial moment.

KIZITO
RIP James and thank u for contributing to the development of our nation

MICHAEL
Omg...he has been my icon!!!

WAGIDEBU
May his soul RIP

DEMI
May God rest your soul

EDWARD
What a huge loss!! Hope there is a son/daughter to continue with the Mulwana Empire successes?!

BALI
He was total package!!!!!!!!Whose name i never heard in any dubious acts.i remain challenged en defeated!! no words. For sure he was the only true Ugandan left on earth. Oh God what a loss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!