KAMPALA- Uganda is mourning the loss of one of its most influential sons, Dr. James Musinguzi Garuga, a visionary businessman, seasoned politician, and philanthropist whose contributions spanned agriculture, tourism, governance, and social transformation.
Dr. Garuga, aged 71, passed away on Wednesday morning at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala, where he had been undergoing specialized treatment. According to family sources, efforts were underway to fly him abroad for further medical care, but his condition deteriorated.
He will be laid to rest on Monday next week at his ancestral home in Rugyeyo, Kanungu District.The news of Garuga’s passing has triggered a wave of tributes from across the country, particularly in the Kigezi sub-region, where his impact remains deeply felt.
He is best remembered as the founder of Kigezi Highland Tea Company, a driving force in commercial tea farming that uplifted thousands of households in southwestern Uganda.
Born in 1953 in Kihihi, Dr. Garuga’s educational journey took him from Kinkiizi Primary School to Mbarara High School, Makerere College School, and eventually Makerere University, where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce. After early career stints at Rayon Textile Limited and Shell, his passion for justice led him back to Makerere, where he obtained a Bachelor of Laws in 1980.
Garuga made headlines in 2001 when he contested for the Kinkiizi West parliamentary seat against then-Defence Minister Amama Mbabazi. The election, marred by violence, ended in a court battle which he won though he declined to participate in the court-ordered by-election.
A founding father of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Uganda’s largest opposition party, Garuga’s contribution extended beyond politics. He donated the building in Najjanankumbi that still serves as FDC’s national headquarters a testament to his enduring belief in democratic principles.
Eng. Ivan Mbabazi Batuma, Chairperson of the Kigezi Tourism Cluster, hailed Garuga as “a pillar in the region whose legacy will endure for generations.”
He also used the moment to urge government investment in healthcare to prevent future losses of national figures to treatable conditions.
Wilkens Arinaitwe, Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) leader in Kigezi, called Garuga’s death “a painful blow,” coming so soon after the passing of retired Supreme Court Judge George Kanyeihamba. He credited Garuga for “revolutionizing agriculture and inspiring a new wave of regional development.”
Lydia Turyahumura, Chairperson of the Kabale District People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), and veteran tea farmer Saul Kagyima also expressed sorrow.
They described Garuga as “a generous and honest pioneer who opened doors for small-scale farmers to join the export economy.”Dr. Garuga’s influence in the tea industry, opposition politics, and community development leaves a lasting mark on Uganda’s landscape.
His journey from humble beginnings to national leadership stands as a beacon for future generations.As preparations for his burial continue, Uganda pays homage to a man who gave more than he took a true son of the soil, whose legacy will live on in the hearts of many.
