Uganda Mourns Monica Azuba Ntege: Engineer, Golfer, and Former Transport Minister

Monica Azuba Ntege, known for her multifaceted career, died recently at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala while under treatment. Her passing follows her husband Mark Kawesa Ntege’s death a year earlier and comes shortly after MP Hellen Nakimuli’s demise, deepening national grief.

A civil engineering graduate from Makerere University in 1978, Azuba rose from roles at Uganda Commercial Bank—later Stanbic Bank—to UNRA board member. Appointed Minister of Works and Transport in 2016, she served until 2019, championing infrastructure amid projects like the costly Kampala-Entebbe Expressway.

During a 2017 CoST Uganda dialogue, she committed to public access to procurement data to boost accountability and curb corruption. She played a key role in reviving Uganda Airlines, launching its first flight to Nairobi in 2019 after two decades, expanding routes regionally despite aircraft choice debates.

Born in 1954 in Busoga, Azuba attended Gayaza High School and inspired female engineering students at male-dominated Makerere. Winnie Byanyima of UNAIDS recalled her encouragement as a third-year student.

An avid golfer, she won national titles like the Entebbe Open and served as a regional trustee for the All Africa Challenge Trophy. Tributes poured in: the Works Ministry lauded her dedication, Rebecca Kadaga called her a Busoga pillar.

Funeral details are pending from family and government.

Source: Daily Monitor