Kampala-Rukiga County Member of Parliament, Hon. Roland Ndyomugyenyi Bish, has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Dr. James Musinguzi Garuga, a revered businessman and community leader who passed away on Wednesday morning at Nakasero Hospital after battling throat cancer.
Hon. Bish described Dr. Garuga as a visionary leader, mentor, and father figure who had an immeasurable impact on his personal and political journey. “When I was joining politics, he encouraged me,” Bish recalled.
“He told me, ‘My son, I know you will make it, and when you do, you will change a few things in this country.’”Their relationship dates back to 2005, when Garuga attended Bish’s graduation party alongside Hon. Jack Sabiiti. From that moment, the two forged a close bond, with Garuga becoming a consistent advisor and source of encouragement.“He was a unifying figure, a perfectionist who always emphasized quality and community development,” said Hon. Bish. “He implemented numerous projects across Kigezi that directly benefited our people.”
Dr. Garuga, a pioneer in Uganda’s tea industry and a champion of rural electrification, was instrumental in introducing electricity to Kanungu District before hydropower reached other parts such as Kihihi.
His legacy includes vast tea plantations, countrywide farming projects, and a reputation for uplifting others regardless of their background.
“He introduced me to the money economy and mentored me in tea growing,” Bish revealed.
“Thanks to him, I established the first tea nursery bed in Rukiga at Nyakasiru, Bukinda. That was the start of our partnership in tea growing and processing.”
Hon. Bish praised Garuga’s enduring influence in the Kigezi sub-region, hailing him as one of the backbones of Ugandan entrepreneurship. “He believed in people and gave them opportunities to grow,” he said.
“He truly changed lives.”The late Dr. James Musinguzi Garuga will be laid to rest at his ancestral home in Kanungu on Monday next week.
His death marks the loss of a giant in Uganda’s business and development space, whose legacy is expected to inspire generations to come.
“Mr. Garuga has left his mark on earth,” Hon. Bish concluded. “He was like a father to me and also my mentor. May God bless him for changing the world and grant him eternal peace.”
