By Eriah Lule.
Many would wonder why a senior banker at the level of branch manager would suddenly leave his well-paying job for teaching. The secret that was well known to Richard Mubiru and a few of his friends would astonish all the people who know him well.
Mubiru, a lecturer at the School of Business, was called on board to teach at the then faculty as early as 2000, by Dr. Isaac Katono, a colleague he had known for many years back.
The bald-grey-haired man didn’t think twice but joined an old friend for a cause above himself. Mubiru noted that despite subscribing to the Anglican religion, he was born, raised and lived in Mukono. A university starting was another way of developing his area of residence and ancestral grounds.
“You can’t imagine a man who was being paid one million Uganda shillings in 1997 opting to teach for 300,000 shillings. I think now that’s service, it’s giving back to society,” said Mubiru.
Mubiru isn’t a trained teacher but an economist. Where does he get the passion to dive into academia?
In 1985, Mubiru graduated from Makerere University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. He joined Uganda Commercial Bank (UCB), a state-owned bank by then (it was sold to Stanbic Bank). He joined UCB as a trainee banking officer for three years. Here they received various training and workshops which exposed them to the field.
Many managers at the time were not graduates but experienced bankers. This gave Mubiru a big platform to rise in the ranks unknowingly from 1988-1992, when he graduated from a trainee to Assistant manager at Masaka Second Branch, “UCB Masaka B”, where he was transferred.
Mubiru attributes his success in the bank to the training he received. “It’s because of these works that I also started mentoring new recruits in the bank, i developed the passion for teaching,” he said. “I just didn’t know that I might end up mentoring young people for this long, “added Mubiru.
In 1993, he became a Junior Manager and managed many branches like Jinja and Lugazi till in 1996 he was elevated to Branch Manager in Metropolitan Kampala at Crested Towers. Later in 1997, the company was sold to Stanbic Bank (a private bank), but before the selling process started, Mubiru opted to be paid and left.
Little did he know he would carry his 13 years of experience to impart knowledge and mentor students for the next 22 years at UCU, a choice Mubiru never regrets. “To me, teaching was like having some free time to breath and take off the long stress I had in banking,” he said.
According to Elise Nsiyona, the Associate Dean of the School of Business, Mubiru’s expertise and experience have not only been of great importance to the students and staff but to the development of the school to grow from department to School of Business over time.
“He is one of the experienced and senior lecturers that we as a school take pride in. The way he handles and mentors fellow staff and students is amazing. “He has helped us as a school develop our culture and way of doing things,” said Nsiyona.
Even with an aching back, Mubiru seems to always amuse his circles since he still engages in active subsistence farming in his gardens in Seeta, a project he thinks of elevating to commercial farming after his retirement. He is also a profound entrepreneur. He owns SAR Leisure Gardens that are hired for camping and parties in Mukono.
A look at his glittering but aging baby dog face, the jokes he throws even at any kind of seriousness, the overwhelming urge to make any dialogue lively and his careful handling of things is a character that moves him dearly, though behind closed doors, a bad memory visits him.
Mubiru lost his darling Sarah Ssenkubuge to Covid-19 after a long marriage of 36 years; both had 8 children with 10 grandchildren. Mubiru’s efforts as a councilor for Mukono Town Council from 2002–2011 saw it grow into a municipality as it was the secretary of finance due to his expertise. He is the Chairman of UCU Staff Savings Sacco and serves as a board member for many organizations.
Born to the late Paul Wasswa Zamala and Margret Nakawombe, both residents of Naabuta-Kilowooza Village in Mukono District. He attended Peter Clever Namilyango Boys Day Primary School, Bishop SSS for his O level, and Jinja SS for his A level. He later joined Makerere University for his Bachelors and Masters.
