By Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye
Uganda is today marking 62 years of self-rule. Our independence was advocated and also sacrificed for by nationalists, such as Ignatius Kangave Musaazi. Afraid of the nationalists’ popular demand, the British resorted to banishing them to different parts of the country, especially in Karamoja and Bukeeri. Amidst suppression and intimidation, nationalists remained resolute in their demand and call for independence. And on October 9, 1962, Uganda was pronounced an independent country.
The most unfortunate thing is that those undermining Uganda’s struggle for independence were the self-seeking groups. The process in their quest to take up top positions in independent Uganda, they were supported by foreign forces. This unfortunately resulted in political and unsustainable policies, which were alien to the historical background of Uganda.
The genuine advocates of independence had hoped that Uganda would have regular, free, and fair elections, but to their disappointment, Uganda didn’t have credible ones. In 1962, the independence election of April 1962 was flawed. Some eligible voters, for example, were disenfranchised. And when Ugandans hoped to have fresh elections in 1967, it didn’t happen because dictatorship was entrenched in our country.
From 1971 to 1980, the political environment in Uganda worsened. The military government and its attendants were tyrannical. Several human rights violations manifested in 1980. Ugandans hoped to test democracy once again. We ended up with rigged elections, extrajudicial killings, and arrests of political opponents of the regime.
Upon realisation that Uganda was sinking into a political and economic abyss, a statesman, Yoweri Museveni, and fellow countrymen launched a rebellion against misrule and tyranny that culminated in 1981. With God’s grace, the liberation struggle succeeded, finally bringing peace in 1986.
Then came President Museveni rebuilding a country that had no economy to talk about. And because of his efforts, he started by putting the hand of stability across Uganda, which President Museveni adopted in 1986 and started to recover.
Other significant factors include stable diseases, HIV/AIDS incidences reduced, education of children was on the rise, democracy became the order of the day, sustainable levels of the economy became viable, women and youth emancipation far better than before gained international recognition, peace and unity was achieved in the whole country, among other deep-seated achievements.
As we commemorate the 62 years of Uganda’s independence, we need to particularly thank God for the achievements obtained since 1986. Otherwise, our independence journey as a country would have been nothing if God had not blessed us with the leadership of President Museveni.
In our new independence year, we should continue to beseech the Almighty God to bless us so that we succeed in the current ‘war’ of fighting poverty among Ugandans. President Museveni calls on all Ugandans to engage in production.
The writer is a Senior Presidential Advisor & Political Assistant at Office of the National Chairman – ONC Kyambogo
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