Meet The First Governor Bank Of Uganda, Later Killed By The Amin Regime.

On Monday, February 10, 2025, President Kaguta Museveni named Michael Atingi-Ego, a former deputy governor of the Bank of Uganda (BoU), as the next governor. He succeeded the late Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile.

Newly appointed Bank of Uganda Governor Michael Atingi-Ego

One of the most often asked questions is: Who was BoU's first governor? Two years after Uganda gained independence from the British, the Bank of Uganda was first established in 1966.

Appointed in July 1966, Joseph Mary Mubiru served as BoU's first governor until September 1971.

Uganda's first Governor Bank Joseph Mary Mubiru.

On January 29, 1929, the late Joseph Mary Mubiru was born in Kalungu sub-county, which is now part of Kalungu district, which was formerly Masaka district.

He completed his elementary school at Villa Maria Primary School (1938–1943), went to Bukalasa Secondary School, and then enrolled in St. Thomas Major Seminary Katigondo in 1951–1952.

Following the seminary, he worked for a short time at the National Bank of India before enrolling at the University of Kerala in Southern India, where he graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in Economics.

He earned a Master of Arts degree from New York University between 1959 and 1962. When Mr. Mubiru's contract ended in 1971, he joined the Madhvani Group of Companies.

While still employed by the Madhvanis, Mr. Mubiru was named counselor to the International Monetary Fund's African Department in 1972.

He tragically and sadly did not accept the position since he was kidnapped shortly after and then killed for unknown reasons.

In honor of Mr. Mubiru's exceptional contribution to our nation's financial and economic growth as well as the flawless professionalism he actively promoted in Uganda's banking sector.

Every year, the Bank of Uganda hosts the Joseph Mubiru Memorial Lectures, where prominent figures discuss current financial and economic concerns