By Jonathan Benaiah (The Ugandan Tourist)
On 1 March 1961 the first elections were held with Benedicto Kiwanuka of the Democratic Party becoming the first chief minister. The following year on 9th October, Britain granted independence to this country, an event at which people witnessed the lowering of the Union Jack and the raising (for the very first time) of the colorful black, yellow and red flag of the new nation called Uganda, joining the membership of the commonwealth countries.
A quick account of Uganda’s governance over the 55 years. The country has been governed by several Heads of State, these are listed below with the duration of their terms. Perhaps something to put in mind is that none of the leaders has ever peacefully handed over power to another. They have always been deposed:
- Sir Edward Luwangula Walugembe Muteesa II (9 October 1963 – 2 March 1966)
- Milton Obote (15 April 1966 – 25 January 1971)
- Field Marshall Idi Amin Dada (25 January 1971 – 11 April 1979)
- Yusuf Kironde Lule (13 April 1979 – 20 June 1979)
- Godfrey Lukongwa Binaisa (20 June 1979 – 12 May 1980)
Paulo Muwanga (12 May 1980 – 22 May 1980)
Interim Presidential Commission (22 May 1980 – 15 December 1980)
- Milton Obote (17 December 1980 – 27 July 1985)
General Bazilio Olara-Okello (27 July 1985 – 29 July 1985)
- General Tito Okello Lutwa (29 July 1985 – 26 January 1986)
- Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (the incumbent since 26 January 1986)
Every year (for the past 55 years) when we celebrate the 9th of October, our thoughts focus on independence. People from all walks of life engage in discussions on how the journey has been so far, and most media houses effortlessly earn themselves a common headline. It is a day to say thank you to the Founding Fathers for their courage and wisdom to create foundations for a would be great Nation State. Perhaps the spirit of Independence Day is not only about Uganda officially becoming a country, but about celebrating the values that the country was founded upon.
Ask any Ugandan what’s unique about the 9th of October of each year and even that little boy in primary school will tell you it’s a special day, by far the greatest day inscribed in the history of the nation called Uganda, but not with enough detail of what independence really is, in the practical. I was a little surprised this Friday when the home assistant (house boy) asked me what I had planned for Independence Day. Dude also knows the day does exist.
I personally had some wild plans of hitting the road. My plans of celebrating independence in the wild bush of Murchison Falls National Park were however thrown out the window. I am stuck in central Uganda eventually; not how I had hoped to celebrate Uganda’s 55th birthday. Well, maybe partly blamed on my Mom who called me during the week (Tuesday night, I think) reminding me that Dad’s birthday was on 10th October; she knew that day would find me at work and was clever enough to propose early birthday celebrations for mzee (my Dad). So after penning down this one I’ll be off to my old folks’ retirement home in Gayaza for some cake, food and happy time.
As I lay on my back, clad in my “I’m So Uganda” T-shirt with my laptop on my laps, I have since 6 AM this morning been lost in thoughts of what independence could really mean. Looking at the events today, I am compelled to believe that whatever the forefathers had in mind at the set off seems quite blurry in the public domain today. What could independence in Uganda actually mean? I have countless times read in the papers and watched interviews on TV of respectable persons retorting about how Uganda’s independence is merely perceived and not real. But that sounds more like political rhetoric.
Well I have been battling the urge to entirely give up on political verbal mumble jumble and focus more on attaining Personal Independence. Perhaps as we celebrate 55 years of Uganda’s sovereignty as a Nation State today, we can individually pledge to fight for personal independence. How about we pledge this Independence Day, to first give ourselves personal independence, working towards this goal every single day. Here’s some food for thought on this special day.
Freedom to speak your mind but with your heart in agreement: Speaking your mind is all about changing your attitude. It starts with removing that cardboard box off your heard and having faith that what you’re saying is worth hearing. But how about freeing yourself from just uttering what lands in your mind but learning to speak your heart. Freedom of speech is agreeably a constitutional right, but the ability to edit what you say, before you say it, is a personal responsibility. Free yourself to speak your mind but let your mind listen to your heart first. Only then will you say “My Opinion is…” and really mean it.
Freedom to dream, try, experiment and innovate. And the Freedom to fail and rise again: Innovation flourishes when failure is embraced, accepted, and seen as an opportunity for growth. We have come this far because a few people dared to dream and to try. What if we all freed ourselves to try, think of it! All men (female or male), men of color or not, are born with an intrinsic creativity. We inherit creativity from a very creative God, and should harness that energy.
Freedom to take decisions and responsibility: This is two-fold. Firstly, learn to embrace responsibility, come out of the curtains; there are many things learned from doing – don’t we always say experience is the best teacher, so don’t shy away. Take decisions, but still take personal responsibility for the energy you bring into this space. Get punished for things that may go wrong on your watch, but still enjoy the applauses for the awesome success achieved from your leadership; it’s a learning curve. Secondly, grant your subordinates the freedom to take decisions and responsibility. Jan Carlzon says that Giving someone the freedom to take responsibility releases resources that would otherwise remain concealed. Free yourself of micromanagement, you can do anything but not everything.
Freedom to be you: Think of this as going back to the stars. You were born a star but have lost your “shine” because of clouding yourself with what others are, your idols, that pomp person in society. You want to be like them because they have inspired you by being who they are, finding their purpose in life. A decision you need to make each day is to gain for yourself independence from the muck that filths your awesome “real-self”. Let your real-self come out, and let the masses be inspired by it
Bonus: Freedom to travel: Okay I am a little biased with this one, but I’ll still say it. Your country is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, free your mind to travel it. I for one will tell you that there might be no activity in life that grants you freedom to be yourself as much as travel does. I once did a piece of the pharmaceutical and therapeutic power of travel, lots of truths therein. “Travel” and “Freedom” are two almost synonymous words. Look up some holiday packages, bargain with the operator, ask them to tailor a package for you or even travel solo. Do it the way you like, free yourself to travel.
Food for thought aside, Independence Day is our national holiday and has huge historic significance to our country, it should be one of festivity and one of great Joy. We ought not to be too serious about our holidays. Don’t feel like you have to go to a history class. “It’s a holiday that we should all enjoy.”
Happy Independence Day from us.
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