CELEBRATIONS MARKING THE 52ND INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY: THURSDAY 9TH OCTOBER 2014 THEME: Unity, Peace, Security and Regional Integration: Key Pillars for True and Sustainable Independence SYNOPSIS: A nation’s independence is built on pillars, key among which are Unity, Peace, Security and now more than ever before Regional Integration. Any nation that ignores these key pillars is bound to fail in her efforts of attaining true and sustainable Independence. The early history of our post Independence Uganda is a living example. Exactly fifty two years (of age) today, Uganda attained political Independence from Britain. There were exuberance and rejoicing everywhere. Ugandans were filled with enthusiasm, pride and hope for a happy prosperous Independent Uganda. And, of course, they had every reason for such optimism; Uganda was richly endowed with both human and natural resources. It had the highest seat of learning, Makerere University, in the whole region, the economy was strong; the struggle for Independence, although hard fought, had not been bloody like in some other African Countries such as Kenya. There seemed to be peace and security. However, in less than ten years of our Independence journey, all this changed. Optimism turned into pessimism, hope into despair, pride into shame, laughter and smiles into cries and woes. What had gone wrong? One may ask. Several analysts of political history have given different possible reasons, varying from inept and un-experienced leadership to the fragile and the superficial multiparty politics of the day bequeathed to this young nation. Yes, all these are correct and legitimate reasons. But many of them stemmed from the absence of the four key pillars of a true and sustainable Independence - Unity, Peace and Security; and as time went on Regional Integration. All the pillars used in building a lasting Independent nation stem from these four pillars. Celebrating the 52nd Anniversary of our national Independence is a befitting moment to reflect on the past consequences of our failure to nurture these key pillars during our Independence journey and the positive impact they are having on our country now that they were restored. Disunity among Ugandans like in many other ex-colonial countries, was one of the strongest factors which enabled the imperialists to easily colonize us. In his book ‘50 years of Turmoil’ Mucunguzi Vincent Rwapakani, rightly laments over this factor when he states. “Uganda’s passage to Independence was hampered by lack of national unity, provincialism, threats of separatism and the absence of a nationalist movement”1 Lack of unity did not only hamper fast achievement of Independence but it has been a major contributing factor to Uganda’s political and security woes especially in the early infancy of our Independence. Even now, in spite of the many efforts by Ugandans (the leaders and the led), through formal sensitization programmes, liberalized school system and through non formal programmes like sports, games, music dance and drama etc, Unity among Ugandans is still rather illusive. As we celebrate each anniversary of our Independence, we must remember the eloquent words of wisdom by one of the African Celebrated Leaders, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. “…… to draw the most from our existing and political means for this achievement of abundance and fine social order, we need to unite and unify our efforts, our resources, our skills and our intentions”2. 1.Mucunguzi Vincent Rwapakani: 50 years of Turmoil 2.Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, First President of Ghana: Africa must Unite Yes, Nkrumah was talking of African Unity but what is good for the goose is good for the gander. After all, Unity begins at the lowest level of human existence and development. Ugandans are encouraged to unite nationally first, regionally and continentally if we want our Independence to last and remain useful and effective. Security encompasses the protection of the lives of Ugandans and their property and the defence of our country’s borders against any aggression, external or internal. Peace and Security guarantee each citizen of a country full enjoyment and fulfillment of his or her life without any fear or anxiety. Absence of peace and security negates development, jeopardizes progress and deters good governance. Absence of peace and security undermines a nation’s attainment of true and sustainable Independence. The history of Uganda’s Independence in its early years is a glaring example. Between 1962 and 1986 Uganda changed presidents eight times – all by the barrel of the gun. Hence the untold instability and retrogressive steps Uganda experienced! The first generation of our past Independence Leaders confirmed the need for Regional Integration and made efforts to bring the three countries of Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika (Now the United Republic of Tanzania) together. It is a pity these initial efforts were brought to an end in 1977. Regional Integration is essential for sustenance of our Independence. This is because we need a larger market for our products and besides the World has become a global village; no single country can survive on her own. Regional Integration makes an Independent country internationally stronger, her economy more viable and her voice incomparably louder. Uganda’s Independence was badly crippled in its infancy by the absence of these pillars, among other things. However, learning from our nasty past, Uganda made a fresh start by instituting the Ten (now turned fifteen) Point Programme consisting of pillars for the proper building of a strong Independent Uganda with Unity, Peace, Security and Regional Integration being in the fore. Ugandans are now enjoying the fruits of togetherness, unprecedented peace and security. As a result of this peace and security, Democracy and Good Governance has flourished; huge physical developments are taking place like the booming construction industry; and there are great improvements in the provision of social services in a number of sectors such as Education, Communication, improvement of Health facilities, Transport etc. Regional integration is a necessity, not a choice for creating a large, more viable and stable market opportunities for nations. A large block of close to 150 million people provides a much stronger and more viable market and power to negotiate with the rest of the world than a small nation of say 20 – 30 million people. It also helps in better management of trans-national resources including Lake Victoria, Mt. Elgon, and Mt. Kilimanjaro. According to the former President of the Republic of Tanzania, H.E. B William Mkapa: “We have everything to gain in the East African Federation in terms of political stability, greater feeling in safety, in numbers and as an economic entity better able to fight poverty”3! As we celebrate the 52nd Independence Anniversary of our Nation, it is our sacred duty and responsibility to strengthen and consolidate Unity, Peace, Security and Regional Integration, key pillars for true and sustainable Independence, and development. WISHING YOU HAPPY AND FRUITFUL CELEBRATIONS 3 H.E. B Willaim Mkapa: Former President of the United Republic of Tanzania: East Africa Community Report of the Committee on Fast Tracking E.A Federation submitted to the 6th Summit of Heads of State of East Africa Community
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 11:59:43 +0000