Kassami’s death is a blow to economy, says Mutebile
Bank of Uganda Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile lays a wreath on the casket containing the body of Chris Kassami yesterday during a requiem Mass at Rubaga Cathedral. PHOTO BY MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI
KAMPALA- Bank of Uganda Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile has described the death of the former Secretary to the Treasury, Chris Manyindo Kassami, as a big blow to the country’s national economy since he has been his most trusted officer.
Mr Kassami died in a Nairobi hospital last Friday following a heart attack.
By the time of his death, Kassami had retired from the Ministry of Finance where he served as Permanent secretary and secretary to the Treasury and has been a member of the board of directors, Bank of Uganda on the Audit and Governance committee.
Mr Mutebile, who was not in position to deliver his speech, was helped by his deputy, Dr Louis Kasekende, at a requiem Mass at Rubaga Cathedral yesterday. He said it was not by coincidence that when he was appointed Governor, Kassami was appointed to replace him as secretary to the Treasury because he was pivotal in the economic planning for the country and they depended on each other to ensure that there is transparency and accountability in the treasury.
“He championed the independence of the Central bank and it was re-assuring to him to take on matters of leadership when he joined the board that made us depend on each other beyond workmates, friends and family,” he said.
Finance minister Matia Kasaija, who represented government, described the former secretary as a “fallen walking encyclopedia of economic planning and development” who dedicated all his career o to the Treasury and respected all his ministers, which enabled the Ministry of Finance to register good economic policies, maximise revenue collection and allocation of public resources thereby helping the country to register economic development under his stewardship. “Kassami was a wonderful manager who would not take short cuts. If there was no money in the budget, he would tell you. We will miss his value for knowledge, integrity both in word and action, transparency and accountability,” he said, adding that if anyone tried to arm twist him to submission, his defense would be the law whom he would ask such a person to first amend.
Kassami, 67, who joined the Treasury in 1972, has all his working lifetime been at the Treasury where he rose through the ranks to the prestigious position until he retired in 2013.
According to family sources, Kassami was last Friday pronounced dead at a Nairobi hospital where he had been admitted from February 16. He will be laid to rest today at his home in Kasusu, Kabarole District.
