Edward Khiddu Makubuya, down-to-earth politician

https://observer.ug/index.php/news/headlines/82219-edward-khiddu-makubuya-down-to-earth-politician 

August 21, 2024

Written by URN

Edward Khiddu Makubuya, who lived a distinguished life as a law professor, legal and human rights scholar, and Attorney General, passed away on Monday aged 75.

Born and raised in Bulemezi, Makubuya's illustrious career spanned various high-profile roles, including state minister for Foreign Affairs, minister of Education, and state minister for the Luwero Triangle.

Makubuya's academic achievements were equally exceptional. He graduated with first-class honours in Law from Makerere University in 1974, followed by a Master of Laws and a Doctor of Juridical Science from Yale Law School in 1976 and 1979, respectively. His dedication to the field of law was evident through his leadership as editor-in-chief of the Uganda Law Society Review and as head of the Department of Law and Jurisprudence at Makerere University.

In 1995, he was appointed director of the Uganda Human Rights and Peace Center, further solidifying his commitment to human rights and legal education. Despite his academic and professional accomplishments, Makubuya was known for his humility and sharp sense of humour.

This was particularly evident in his parliamentary appearances, where his wit often shone through, especially during his tenure as minister of Education and later as minister of Justice and Attorney General. Makubuya was also a devout Christian, often drawing on his faith in his public speeches. During a censure motion against him as minister of General Duties, Makubuya quoted Chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes as he gracefully accepted his fate and departure from the cabinet.

 

“There is nobody who was born knowing how to be a minister of government,” said Makubuya as MPs pushing for his censure listened attentively.

"For everything, there is a season and a time for every activity under heaven, a time to be born, and a time to die...A time to become minister, and a time to cease to be minister" Makubuya proclaimed his exit from the cabinet. “Madam speaker Hon members thank you for listening to me."

Makubuya's career, however, was not without controversy. In 2010, he authorized a payout of Shs 169 billion to businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba and another Shs 14.9 billion to retired Col John Mugyenyi as compensation for lost market tenders. This decision ultimately led to his resignation on February 16, 2012.

Colleagues and contemporaries remember Makubuya as a down-to-earth politician who lived a simple life despite his prominence. Former Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda described Makubuya as a "fine legal brain" who made significant contributions to Uganda as an academic, politician, and student leader.

As minister of Education and later minister of Justice and Attorney General, Makubuya would walk without security from his office at Embassy House and Rajar Chambers to parliament despite the risks it posed. This down-to-earth approach would land him in trouble in January 2003 when suspected car thieves kidnapped Makubuya and his wife and held them hostage for hours. Fortunately, they were not harmed. His official car was later recovered in Kenya.  

Makubuya's rise to prominence began in 1986 when President Museveni established a commission of inquiry into human rights violations between 1962 and 1986. Makubuya served as the top legal mind on this commission, contributing to a comprehensive 4,000-page report documenting atrocities, including those committed during Idi Amin's regime.

 

His work on this commission and the subsequent 1995 Odoki Constitutional Commission marked significant contributions to Uganda's transitional justice and social reconstruction.

At the time of his death, Makubuya was among the 14 members who had been nominated in 2021 for yet another Constitutional Review Commission that was to be chaired by Prof Fredrick Ssempebwa. 

One of Makubuya's most controversial decisions came in 2005 when, as minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, he advised the cabinet to remove provisions allowing individuals to run as independents in elections. He believed that this would strengthen the multiparty system and promote party discipline, though the proposal faced significant opposition.

In 2006, Makubuya again courted controversy by advising Uganda's Electoral Commission that opposition leader Kizza Besigye should be barred from the ballot due to treason and rape charges against him drawing widespread criticism.

Edward Khiddu Makubuya will be remembered as a key figure in Uganda's legal and political history, whose contributions to the country's development were profound and far-reaching.