You were the best dad ever - Tayebwa's children

A portrait of the late Bernard Tayebwa Mugisha displayed in Mbuya Church. Photo by Juliet Kasirye

"Our mother died 20 years ago but daddy has raised us single handedly without complaining. He was always there for us. We would see him struggle but he always managed to make us happy," a daughter of a fallen top economic lecturer Bernard Tayebwa Mugisha said.

Speaking at a requiem mass held at Our Lady of Africa Church Mbuya on Thursday, Carol Atuhairwe the first born of the five added:  "We are five children but he raised so many other children. He always treated us the same. You would not see dad sad even on his death bed he still joked and had a positive attitude."

Tayebwa's children being comforted by friends and relatives at the requiem mass of their father at Mbuya Catholic Church in Kampala.

Tayebwa, 54, the author of the popular basic economics pamphlet for A-level, passed on Wednesday of kidney failure at Mulago Hospital.

Many people have spoken fondly of the fallen economist. To his colleagues at Makerere University, Tayebwa was a straightforward, open minded, hardworking and a man of high integrity.

"He was my best man, my OB from Ntare School but all I can tell you he was a bright man who was open minded. He loved joking and making new friends," said Martin Bandebire, an advocate with Alliance Advocate.

"We thank Bernard for mentoring and nurturing students in the faculty of Agriculture. We will miss him dearly. His legacy will continue to manifest through those he has mentored," a message from the Makerere University vice Chancellor's office read.

He will be buried on Friday at Kibasi village, Kajara County in Ntungamo District at midday. He is survived by 5 children.