By Jumah Kakomo
Uganda will be celebrating her 61st Independence on 9th October 2023, and the main celebrations will be held in Kitgum District at Farm Institute Grounds under the theme, “Sustaining a United and Progressive Nation: Taking Charge of our Future as a Free Nation”.
Addressing the media at party headquarters Kampala on 4th Wednesday October 2023, the party head of media and communications Faizo Muzeyi said it’s unfortunate that at 61 years of independence, Uganda is still struggling to achieve a full status as a free nation however, there is a need to trace and recognize the struggle for decolonization and independence which was anchored on unity and can be divided into two principal areas; the primary resistance to colonial rule that involved the traditional leaders like Omukama Kabalega, Kabaka Mwanga, Chief Balaim Akaki of Lango and others in 1880s – 1890s.
“The superior fire power of the white man and his hired Sudanese mercenaries and local natives who had been recruited by Semei Kakungulu did damage to the spirited fight put up by kings which led to their capture at Dokolo, Lango Sub region with their subsequent exiling to Seychelles Islands in Indian Ocean.
“Decades later in 1950s, our founding fathers led by Ignatius Kangave Musazi reflected on the achievements and challenges of our primary resistance during the decolonization and independence struggle,”Faizo stated.
The party spokesperson Arach Oyat Sharon says at 61 years of independence, we take stock of ourselves, and think deeply in terms of the theme “Sustaining a United and Progressive Nation: Taking Charge of our Future as a Free Nation”.Unity has been very much elusive and this can be seen through tough and difficult times of 1966 crisis, the military coup of 25th January 1971 led by Idi Amin who banned political Parties and Parliament thus ruling by military decree.
“As we celebrate Uganda 61 years, we need to be very much certain of our political future as it is politics that guides the journey of the country’s development. Politics provides leadership and makes decisions, choices and actions,”Sharon Said.
She adds that UPC seeks for that certainty as the country marks 61 years of independence in Kitgum district at Farm Institute Grounds.
