Uganda at 60 plus 1

Uganda was under colonial rule for 68 years since 1894, when it was declared a British protectorate.

The country has since faced quite a number of challenges, including the breakout of civil wars a few years after the British left.

Following the ousting of Apollo Milton Obote, Uganda's first Prime Minister, and the ascendance of Idi Amin to the presidency, the country was marred in civil wars for nearly 20 years.

Challenges such as tribalism, which has manifested in the distribution of opportunities, most especially jobs, have been central to the way of life of most Ugandans.

While addressing the nation on the eve of independence (Sunday, October 8, 2023), President Museveni called out Ugandans to avoid the temptation of tribalistic tendencies. He said the goal should be to build a 'United States of Africa.'

“You should reject the serial idea of politics of identity, but join politics of value and ideas. Those who emphasise tribes, religion, sectarianism, and gender chauvinism want to turn us into a Latin America in Africa, and yet we, the freedom movement, want to build a United States of Africa in Africa. Latin America is very rich in terms of natural resources, much richer than the United States, but they are fragmented and not organised. This environment doesn’t encourage business,” Museveni said.

The President also pointed out the need to fight the prevalent corruption tendencies and the need to ensure economic and social prosperity for Ugandan people.

“We insist that in order to ensure the economic and social prosperity of our people, we must not forget their needs: food, jobs, markets for their products, and sources of raw materials for their industries. The prosperity of our people will come from our people selling their products to the Ugandan and African markets; that is why we encourage patriotism and pan-Africanism and reject them,” he said.

This year’s celebrations will take place in Kitgum, where government dignitaries and development partner representatives, among other officials, are expected to attend in person. The day is commemorated under the theme “Sustaining a united and progressive nation.”