Museveni mourns Ntare classmate Canon Mweheire

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President Yoweri Museveni has paid tribute to Canon Francis Mweheire, a local entrepreneur, for his patriotic and foresight leadership in science advancement in the country.

“I wish to express my deepest sorrow upon the death of Mr Francis Mweheire, my old friend, my schoolmate, and my mentor. On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Uganda and on my own behalf, I convey my heartfelt condolences to the wife, the children, the entire family, the Government and all Ugandans for the loss of a diligent civil servant,” Museveni stated.

The President’s eulogy was delivered by the state minister for Luwero-Triangle, Alice Kaboyo, during a funeral service at All Saints Cathedral, Nakasero in Kampala on Friday. Mweheire, aged 85, died at Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya, on November 18, 2025.  He is survived by his wife, Mary and three children.

Canon Francis Mweheire with his daughter Suzan Kitariko plus sons Philip (centre) and Patrick. (Courtesy)

Reminiscing over the past, the President recalled that “Mweheire left us at Ntare and went to Makerere University and studied Zoology. He was very intelligent and foresighted. Science is the foundation upon which development is built. This explains why the NRM has been promoting the teaching of science subjects. We need professionals with scientific knowledge and skills to help us solve the challenges that threaten our survival and prosperity. A society is said to have progressed when it has mastered a higher level of acquisition of science and technology. This is the primer for development,” Museveni noted.

He added, “I wish to express my appreciation to Mr Mweheire for the service he rendered to this nation through his lifetime, especially while he was still in active service. He has lived a life of multiple testimonies; as a patriotic leader in various respects, a tea estate manager in Mukono district, a group manager of Salama Tea Estate, a general manager of Agriculture Enterprises and an executive director of Mitchell Cotts.”

According to Museveni, after 1971, the constitutional order was destroyed within the first 10 years of Independence. The next casualty, according to Museveni, was the small enclave economy of the ‘3Cs and 3Ts’had collapsed.

“The 3Cs were coffee, cotton and copper, and the 3Ts were tobacco, tea and tourism. They all disappeared, and those which were limping like tea survived because of strong people in high positions, like the Mweheires. When they took over state power in 1986, we inherited a country characterised by socio-economic collapse and social disorder. As a matter of urgency, we needed to put in place a minimum economic recovery programme that would give hope to the population,” Museveni stated in the eulogy.

Museveni also hailed Mweheire's role as a dedicated parent who raised his children well and nurtured them. He described him as an advocate for education and a mentor on several fronts.

The President singled out the eldest son, Patrick Mweheire, Regional Chief Executive, Standard Bank Group, who also served as Stanbic Bank Uganda CEO (2015–2020).

According to Museveni, the younger Mweheire, "made outstanding contributions to the economic landscape of Uganda in terms of fostering economic growth, attracting investments into the country and delivering critical government services.”

About Canon Francis Mweheire

He was born on June 26, 1940, to Murokore Samwiri Mafene and Edrida Bagayente 

In 1954 he enrolled Mweheire enrolled at Kitaziguruka Church of Uganda Primary School 1954. He studied the Primary (P.1) and Primary Two (P.2) and Kinyasano Junior Primary School

Later he enrolled at Ntare School in Mbarara for Secondary education. He excelled at both academics and leadership, winning him the top student's office as head prefect.

In 1965, he joined Makerere University and studied a Bachelor of Science in Zoology, which he passed with a second class Upper in 1968.

Mweheire started working in 1969 with UDC (Uganda Development Corporation). He was appointed assistant manager at Muzizi Tea Estate in Kibale. In that year, he was transferred to Kiko Tea Estate as assistant group manager near Fort Portal.

He also worked as a tea estate manager at Kerita in Mukono district, and later as group manager of tea estates, including Salama Tea Estates, also in Mukono.

In 1972, he was promoted to general manager of Agriculture Enterprises, where he worked for nine years.

Between 1982 to 2010, he served as the executive director of Mitchell Cotts Tea Company.

Upon retirement, Mweheire in 2011 established Marumba Tea consultancy firm, which he has been running until his death. He also served as a board member of Kayonza Tea Company and Igara Tea Company.

The late Canon Francis Mweheire is survived by his wife Mary and three children, namely: Suzan Kitariko, her brothers Patrick and Phillip, plus several grandchildren. 

Vigil will be held tomorrow, Sunday, November 23, at his home in Marumba, Rukungiri.

A funeral service and burial will take place on Monday, November 24, at the same venue.