Independence Day is a Ugandan dream unveiled on the 9th October 1962. A day our fore fathers dreamt of seeing, a prideful day for all Ugandans regardless of where they are located, a milestone always marked annually to commemorate the day Uganda became an Independent baby unwrapped from the bondages of colonialism from being a British protectorate . The power of doing what we want without being controlled is literally every patriot’s legacy. A mixture of happinesse in the air, blended with amazing African cuisines, cultural wear and dressing attires with a Uganda flag signature look; Black ,yellow and red sums up the whole day.
Looking back during the early visits of Explorer Henry Stanley in 1875 whose discoveries inspired the missionaries and business people to come to Uganda leading to its becoming a British take over colony in 1888 where the British government instructed the Imperial British East Africa Company to take over the nation not until in the 20th century where the British were weakened by the world war 11 and at that time the many British colonial states were acquiring their Independence status so the Ugandan heroes by then were forced to push more until on September 1961; where the Uganda Constitutional Conference was held in London and at the end of that Conference, Uganda emerged as an official independent Nation. We really deserve to have blissful celebrations because when we look back at where we are from, its been a bumpy road, so many ups and downs but finally made it as a nation thanks to the resilient leaders that we had like the kinds of Benedict Kiwanuka, DR. Apollo Milton Obote whose constant efforts didn’t go in vain.
The long awaited day is always celebrated with style by holding candles at the Kololo Ceremonial grounds in Kampala and later also mini celebrations in a different town each year, a forward walk to build unity, constituting of impressively organized parades which normally kicks off at 10:30am after the arrival of His beloved Excellency; the president of Uganda and other heads of states from African nations whose arrival calls upon the singing of the National Anthem .The guardsman get into their positions after which the president inspects. Then the national colours are raised on the main flagpole with the Ugandan crested crane centred at the flag which was recently the military badge of Ugandan soldiers during the British rule.
The president then gives a holiday message which after the religious leaders are invited to the central podium to pray for the whole nation. The parade commander then orders the parade to begin with a slow march as they then move on to the quick march.
Following the day’s programme, there are a lot performances from artists and cultural dances accompanied with local delicacies like the steamed matooke, mashed bananas with a peanut sauce, beans, fish and beef, an opportunity to try out Ugandan delicious dishes and drinks and also traditional crafts are displayed during the occasion . And that could also the best suitable time to visit the independence monument situated in Speke road, take some pictures of the beautiful art masterpiece that unveils a man unwrapping a baby and raising it up to the sky potraying freedom from being exploited and living under someone else’s shadows.
Uganda takes this time to reflect on where it stands now and where it expects to be in the coming years, to build a nation where everyone is treated with integrity and respect, growing together and moving forward just like the way the crested crane’s raised leg signals the forward movement of the only pearl among the 54 African countries.
