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Keith Muhakanizi, who many remember as the long-serving indefatigable Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Secretary to the Treasury (PS/PSST) has died.
He died in a Milan, Italy hospital where he had been rushed for treatment on Easter Sunday.
He was 64 years old.
At the time of his death, he was the Permanent Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister.
According to sources, Mr. Muhakanizi has been battling cancer for nearly a decade.
His passing, was first announced by the Executive Director of the government-owned Uganda Media Centre, Mr. Ofwono Opondo.
“SAD! A friend to many. Keith Muhakanizi, Permanent Secretary Prime Minister’s Office, and former long-serving PS Ministry of Finance & Secretary to the Treasury has died from a Milan, Italy hospital where he has received treatment. May he Rest in Peace,” Mr. Ofwono tweeted.
He was born in 1959 in Rukungiri District to the late Rev. Kosia Kajwengye and the late Zeridah Kajwengye.
He went to Makerere University where he obtained a Bachelor of Commerce Degree. He later obtained a Masters Degree in Development Economics from Williams College Massachusetts, USA.
He served in various roles at the Ministry of Finance, including Director, Economic Affairs and rose to become Deputy Secretary to the Treasury and Director of Budget. In May 2013 he was appointed the PS and PSST, following the retirement of then PS/PSST, Christopher Kassami.
At the time of appointment, then Finance Minister, Maria Kiwanuka described him as an accomplished senior officer. “Keith brings on board years of experience, decisiveness, continuity and a unique outreach capability that will deepen our interface with stakeholders,” she said.
Amongst his peers and stakeholders, he was both revered and respected as a no-nonsense and ardent development and macro-economist.
He dominated much of Uganda’s formulation and implementation of economic policy reforms that restored the macroeconomic stability of Uganda’s economy.
He served on various boards, including the Bank of Uganda, the National Housing and Construction Company (NHCC), East African Development Bank, Housing Finance Bank and the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC).
In July 2021, Muhakanizi was reshuffled to the Office of the Prime Minister as PS and replaced by the current PS/PSST Mr.Ramathan Ggoobi.
Tweeting, this Morning, Mr. Ggoobi commiserated with family and friends of Mr. Muhakanizi.
“I have just learnt about the passing of my predecessor, my senior, Mr Keith Muhakanizi. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and close friends. The Ministry shall issue an official communication in the due course. May the soul of Mr Muhakanizi rest in eternal peace,” Ggoobi tweeted.