THEME:  BUILDING A PROSPEROUS, SECURE AND UNITED UGANDA: A GUARANTEE FOR AN INDEPENDENT NATION.

Anti-Colonial Fighters in Africa and elsewhere in the World fought for independence in order to, among other things, empower people to participate in the process of running and development of their countries.  This development consisted of provision of peace and security, political and social-economic justice, prosperity, unity amongst themselves and democratic Governance.  Any country that achieved independence but deviated from or defaulted on any of these cardinal objectives lost its true meaning and Uganda was a living example.

It should be appreciated that to day the world is characterized as a “global village” and no country can live in isolation.  We should know that we live in a highly competitive environment where a poor country that always goes on her knees to beg other countries to support all aspects of her existence, greatly compromises her independence, very often to the extent of losing it.  Equally a country that is torn into pieces by wars and squabbles external and or internal, and where even her own people flee to other countries for safety or which may even call in foreign troops in order to give her some semblance of peace, can hardly be described as an independent nation.  Any independence associated with such a country is practically false, to say the least!   In the same way a country where the power and the authority of her people to participate in matters affecting them is usurped and denied cannot be proud of her independence and nationhood.

As History demonstrates, Independent Uganda has walked a tight rope along the road of her independence!  In the first place, her would-be Nationalistic Movements that initially struggled for Independence were found basically on sectarian lines, tribal and religious.  Independence built on sectarianism is obviously false, as the first years of Independent Uganda proved.  To make matters worse, sectarianism was not the only challenge for the newly Independent Uganda.  It was combined with insecurity, unjust leadership, selfishness and absence of genuine patriotism.

In the first twenty five years of independence, Uganda became a laughing stock, bordering on a failed state. But much as the future is built on the past, Ugandans will do well not to spend all their valuable time brooding over their unfortunate past.  It is most important and of relevant significance now for us never to repeat the grievous mistakes of the past and for which we paid heavily.

Fortunately, Uganda ‘resurrected from the dead’ just to borrow a Christian description.  In 1986, she began to take a different course of development.  Security and peace were RESTORED, Democratic Governance introduced, Infrastructure repaired and the Economy rejuvenated.  Uganda’s pulse started beating at a dramatic pace.  And Uganda has never looked backwards ever since.  Of course, there have been challenges on the way; initially there were rebel groups fighting against the NRM Government which however, were totally defeated or surrendered and given amnesty.  The country is now free, thanks to our gallant soldiers.  All this coupled with an unbroken continuity of leadership brought STABILITY and CONFIDENCE to Independent Uganda.  With such stability and confidence Ugandans and foreigners began to invest their money, energies and efforts in the country.  Progress and development have taken a steady course ever since.  Evidence of this progress abounds in every corner of the country.

As we celebrate this 48th Independence Anniversary, it is important to appreciate that this Independence is like a young plant, scorched by the sun and deprived of some nutritive soil foods in its infancy but rescued before totally withering.  Some of its roots are still weak.  The challenge before us to-day is to give this plant what it needs most.  Unity among Ugandans is still illusive; sectarianism very often takes centre stage as does corruption!  Lack of genuine patriotism demonstrates itself in many forms amongst us.
Equally Ugandans are called upon to appreciate that true independence means less dependency on others particularly for the basic needs of life.  In effect, this calls for hard work for every Ugandan.  Like Jomo Kenyatta once said “Progress is created by the People”.

Every Ugandan must play a positive part by becoming productive.  Government has passionately provided opportunities.  Ugandans are required to take advantage of these abundant opportunities.  Take the example of Education.  Government has for the last ten years or so provided Universal Primary Education (UPE) and later on Universal Secondary Education (USE).  But we do still see young children of school going age who do not go to school.  They are kept busy chasing birds from rice fields, crushing stones at stone quarries, fishing along river banks or lakes or getting married at a tender age!  The onus to guide these Ugandans is on the Leaders at every level.

Actually, these challenges are not insurmountable.  The most effective weapon there is, is that every Ugandan irrespective of origin or belief effectively commits himself or herself to the COMMON GOOD OF UGANDA.  Basic elements of this COMMON GOOD include, although not limited to:-
v    National Security and Peace
v    Sovereignty of the People of Uganda
v    Fulfillment of the Basic needs of the individual
v    Social justice and affirmative action
v    Fundamental Human Rights, freedoms and the accompanying duties of a good citizen
v    Rule of Law and Good Governance
v    Patriotism, National Identity and Pan Africanism
v    Fiscal and Monetary discipline and zero-tolerance for corruption
v    God-loving and fearing Nation.
Serious commitment to these elements should naturally make Uganda a Prosperous, Secure and United Nation, thus guaranteeing her independence.  This duty is for all Ugandans, the leaders and the led.

As we celebrate this 48th Independence Anniversary, we should also remember that the coming year 2011 is a very important mark in the history of Independent Uganda.  It is a year when Ugandans will be holding their second multi-party elections since Uganda regained political sanity in 1986.  Every Ugandan should strengthen Uganda’s Independence and Nationhood by working for elections which are just, fair and free; elections that will not leave the country torn apart.  At the age of almost fifty, it is expected that Independent Uganda has enough maturity to care for her continued existence and happy posterity.

WISHING YOU HAPPY AND PEACEFUL CELEBRATIONS