Family promises to keep Mulwana''s dreams

 
By Francis Kagolo and Carol Kasujja   
                            
The family of the late industrialist James Mulwana has assured the nation that they will carry forward his investments and uphold the high quality products he was known for even after the founder's demise.

Mulwana owned a chain of businesses including Nice House of Plastics which manufactures a number of products like pens, plastic chairs, bottles, toothbrush and basins among others.

Other companies include Uganda Batteries Limited, Jesa Mixed farm and a dairy plant, and a commercial property development entity among others.

Addressing thousands of mourners at the burial ceremony on Wednesday, the widow, Sarah Mulwana, and heir Geoffrey Mulwana, said they had all it required to ensure effective management of the deceased's estate since they had spent years working with him.

"James hired me to manage his businesses with him and with your (mourners') support, we shall accomplish whatever he had started," the widow said.

"Dad has left an incredible legacy on earth. We will try to carry it forward," said the heir. "We promise to carry forward his dreams and goals. We promise to emulate his humility." Sarah described Mulwana, with whom they had spent 50 years in marriage, as a loving husband.

"He has been my best friend. He used to love and trust me a lot. He would tell me almost all his secrets," she said.
She explained that Mulwana's prosperity was only a result of hard work and honesty because he had not gone far with formal education.

 Besides the widow, Mulwana was survived by two daughters and a son, Geoffrey, who succeeded him. President Yoweri Museveni described James mulwana as a nationalist, pioneer industrialist who was committed to hard work and a person with a clear vision.

Museveni told mourners that Mulwana was to be missed by both Buganda and Uganda. "Mulwana was not like these educated people who do not appreciate the resources and wealth our country has.

They only think of speaking other people's languages like English and think that they have achieved everything. The late Mulwana had demonstrated that the future of Africa is in Pan Africanism," Museveni said.
 
During his 76 years, Mulwana served in numerous government and business institutions. He was a member of several boards including that of East African Development Bank, UMEME, Celtel Uganda and BAT Uganda among others.