Uganda has been plunged into mourning following the death of former Buyamba County Member of Parliament Amos Mandela Mugerwa, who passed away at Mulago National Referral Hospital. His death has come just days after the country lost former Busiro County MP Charles Matovu, leaving many Ugandans saddened by the loss of two former legislators within a short period. Mugerwa’s death has attracted attention from political leaders, former parliamentary colleagues and people who remember his contribution to public service.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa announced the sad news on Sunday, paying tribute to Mugerwa for his service in the Ninth and Tenth Parliaments. Tayebwa described the former legislator as a colleague who actively participated in parliamentary affairs and contributed to discussions on issues affecting the country. His announcement sparked tributes from leaders who remembered Mugerwa for his role in Parliament and his interest in matters concerning Uganda’s economic development.
During his time in Parliament, Mugerwa served on the Committee on National Economy, where he reportedly focused on government borrowing and the need for proper accountability when public loans are considered. He was concerned about how the government borrowed money and the importance of ensuring that Parliament carefully examined borrowing proposals before approving them. His position reflected the wider debate over how public debt should be managed and how borrowed funds should benefit ordinary Ugandans.
Mugerwa reportedly believed that stronger guidelines were necessary to ensure that government borrowing received adequate scrutiny. Public loans can help finance infrastructure, development programmes and other national priorities, but they also create financial obligations that may affect the country for years. Through his work on the committee, the former MP contributed to discussions about responsible borrowing and the importance of protecting public resources through effective parliamentary oversight.
Former Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze also joined other leaders in mourning Mugerwa, remembering him as someone who cared about improving the lives of people in his constituency. According to Tumwebaze, the former legislator was committed to community development and supported efforts to address challenges affecting residents. His tribute highlighted a side of Mugerwa’s public service that went beyond parliamentary debates and focused on the everyday needs of the people he represented.
Tumwebaze recalled that Mugerwa once told him he spent nearly Shs40 million every year from his personal funds to purchase fuel for equipment used to open community access roads. If maintained, such spending would represent a significant personal contribution towards improving local infrastructure. Roads are important to rural communities because they help residents transport agricultural produce, reach health facilities, access schools and connect with nearby trading centres. The account offered a glimpse into Mugerwa’s reported efforts to support development in his constituency.
Paying tribute to the deceased, Tumwebaze described Mugerwa as a humble and friendly person who was committed to serving his people. His remarks added to the growing expressions of sadness following news of the former legislator’s death. Although political leaders may be remembered for their positions and parliamentary contributions, tributes from colleagues also tend to highlight their personal relationships and the work they undertook to address challenges within their communities.
Mugerwa’s death has therefore added to the grief already surrounding the recent passing of former Busiro County MP Charles Matovu. The two deaths within a few days have left former colleagues and members of Uganda’s political community reflecting on the lives and contributions of the departed leaders. As tributes continue to emerge, the cause of Mugerwa’s death and details of his burial arrangements had not been provided in the announcement. For now, attention remains on remembering his years in Parliament, his concerns about public borrowing and his reported efforts to improve community roads in Buyamba County.
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