The meaning of Heroes Day in Uganda

Although it is debatable that these times are better, it is not debatable that on June 9, 1981 Edidian Mukiibi Luttamaguzi, Yoweri Museveni's bush war collaborator and a peasant leader in Semuto, was murdered by Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA) in Luweero during the regime of Milton Obote.

Personal sacrifice

At the start of the Bush War, Edidian Mukiibi Luttamaguzi and 9 others were killed by the soldiers of Uganda National Liberation Army for refusing to reveal the hiding place of their guerilla Leader Yoweri Museveni and the soldiers of the National Resistance Army.

Thus, June 9 is a tribute to those who contributed to the liberation struggle that ushered in the National Resistance Movement government on January 26th 1986.

A picture of the heir of the Lutamaguzi family - Jimmy Ssemanda - and inset is Lutamaguzi Pulse

Therefore, this day reminds us of the sacrifices of those patriotic countrymen and women.

Daughter of the late Lutamaguzi laments

Violet Nakitende, the elder daughter of the late Lutamaguzi, says her family has been forgotten.

“[Several] years ago, President Museveni said he had become a son in the family. As children of the Lutamaguzi, that was relief because we thought that as a family, finally, a helper, a rescuer had been gotten but he (helper) has never set foot here to see the children he leads. We have also failed to reach him because each of us has problems, you can see the kind of house I live in and the suffering I have undergone and I continue to undergo daily,” she said.

Rebel leader Museveni Pulse

“We have reached out to some people but they have told us that the only thing he (President) gives out and which we should benefit from is State House scholarships. But really, old people like us cannot go back to school. For us, we thought, as he said he was one of us in the family, he would send to us assistance or someone to ascertain what we desire and know what we can do because, as mature people, we can do either business or agriculture because we still have some land,” she adds.

“The President has forgotten the Lutamaguzis. He has never asked any of us to meet him as children of Lutamaguzi,” she says ruefully.

Although Lutamaguzi’s family continues to live on the margins of societal consciousness, their fallen patriarch’s contribution to the country cannot be understated.