Garuga Was a Visionary Entrepreneur Who Created Jobs for Young People – Besigye

Salaam Musumba reading Besigye's speech at Garuga's burial in Kanungu district on Monday.

Veteran opposition leader and former presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye has paid tribute to the late businessman James Garuga Musinguzi, describing him as a visionary entrepreneur and committed political ally who dedicated his life to uplifting communities and fighting for democracy.

Besigye’s remarks, read by former MP and People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) member Salaam Musumba during Garuga’s burial in Kanungu District on Monday, celebrated Musinguzi’s contribution to both Uganda’s business sector and political opposition.

“James was a visionary entrepreneur with a deep love for people, especially his community of Kanungu. He revived a dying tea industry, lifting the incomes of farmers, and pioneered other frontier projects to create jobs and opportunities for young people,” Musumba read on behalf of Besigye.

The family requested that the message be read publicly, a decision that drew a standing ovation from mourners who chanted “free Besigye.”

Besigye, who is currently in Luzira Prison facing treason charges alongside political ally Hajj Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, recalled his decades-long friendship with Musinguzi, rooted in their shared commitment to justice, democracy, and a better Uganda.

He noted that the two had jointly planned and launched his first presidential campaign in 2001, remaining close political partners for over two decades despite what he described as heavy personal sacrifices.

According to Besigye, Musinguzi was a “pillar of the struggle against dictatorship, nepotism, and state-sponsored violence” who quietly supported opposition political formations from the Reform Agenda to the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), and later to the PFF.

He alleged that the government targeted Musinguzi in a bid to undermine his business ventures, including his tea enterprises, as part of a broader strategy to weaken political opponents.

“His courage and resilience in the face of the regime’s attempts to destroy his economic empire remain a testament to his strength of character,” Besigye’s statement read. “James lived not for himself but for others, serving his community, sharing his wealth generously, and mentoring countless young people, including the Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa.”

Garuga Musinguzi is remembered for reviving the tea sector in western Uganda and investing in projects aimed at reducing poverty and creating employment. His death has prompted tributes from political leaders, entrepreneurs, and community members who credit him with leaving “an indelible mark” on Uganda’s economic and political landscape