Besania SACCO Founder Member Dies Aged 77

MBARARA CITY, 25 January 2025 – Emmanuel Omugisha Bukabeeba, a founding member of Besania Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation [SACCO], passed away on Tuesday at Divine Mercy Hospital in Mbarara City after succumbing to kidney failure. He was 77 years old.

Dr. Edson Mutekanga confirmed during the late’s funeral service at All Saints Church in Mbarara that he had been battling diabetes since 2014.

Mutekanga described Bukabeeba as a great thinker and writer, having published over 400 books and articles throughout his lifetime. He called on the government to introduce health insurance for the elderly, who may struggle to afford medical care.

“Statistics show that the population of people aged 65 and above is about 2 percent, and those aged 80 and above make up around 0.2 percent. I urge the government to provide health insurance for older people, as many of them are dealing with several health challenges,” he said.

Benson Nduhura, the Chairman of Besania SACCO, hailed Bukabeeba as a visionary and focused leader who, alongside two other members, mobilised resources to start the SACCO as a brethren village savings association in 1997. The SACCO was later formally registered in 2007, with the aim of improving the livelihoods of its members.

“He started Besania as a brethren association, and we do not take that for granted. He served the community, Uganda, and Africa at large. As the Besania family, we are grateful for the tremendous work Bukabeeba has done for us through this SACCO, which has transformed the lives of many Ugandans,” Nduhura noted.

John Rutakirwa, the former Operations Manager at the SACCO, described Bukabeeba as a principled man who upheld integrity and diligence in his work.

“Many people saw him as a complicated man, but I want to tell you that he instilled financial discipline, passion, and commitment among the board, staff, and members, which has helped Besania SACCO survive loan defaults over the years,” Rutakirwa said.

He added that the late Bukabeeba believed in social capital, viewing it as a collective responsibility and value for all of humanity.

Wilson Tumwine, former Mayor of Mbarara City, thanked Besania SACCO for having accepted Bukabeeba as a part of the institution’s growth.

Rev Tindiwensi, Dean of the Faculty of Education at Bishop Stuart University, described Bukabeeba as a charismatic leader who had served as the University Secretary at the same institution.

Bukabeeba leaves behind his wife, Kellen Namara, and their five children. Grace Amazing, his eldest daughter, described her late father as an educator and a profound philosopher.

“He was passionate about education and was a simple man who loved everyone. He stood for truth and justice and could not bear to see anyone oppressed,” Amazing said.

Born on 22 August 1948, Emmanuel Omugisha Bukabeeba was laid to rest on Thursday at his ancestral home in Kakyeka Cell, Mbarara City.

Currently, Besania SACCO has a membership of 15,000, a loan portfolio exceeding Shs 8 billion, total assets of Shs 10 billion, and share capital of Shs 23.2 billion.

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