Renowned businessman and former politician James Garuga Musinguzi has died at the age of 84, leaving behind a legacy of entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and public service.
Garuga passed away on Tuesday evening at a hospital in Kampala, where he had been admitted with health complications. Family sources confirmed his passing, describing him as a dedicated family man and a pillar in Uganda’s private sector.
Garuga rose to prominence in the 1990s as a successful businessman and one of the early investors in Uganda’s post-liberalization economy. He was the founder and chairman of Garuga Group of Companies, with interests in hospitality, agriculture, and transport. He was also the proprietor of the popular Garuga Resort Beach on the shores of Lake Victoria in Entebbe.
In addition to his business ventures, Garuga also served in politics. He was a Member of Parliament for Kanungu District in the Constituent Assembly and was actively involved in the formation of Uganda’s 1995 Constitution. He later served as Uganda’s ambassador to Rwanda.
Tributes have poured in from political leaders, business associates, and community members who praised him as a visionary and a mentor to many.
President Yoweri Museveni, in a condolence message, hailed Garuga for his contribution to national development, describing him as “a patriot who believed in Uganda’s potential.”
Funeral arrangements are underway, with the family indicating that a vigil will be held at his home in Kanungu District before his burial later this week.