Uganda will celebrate 63 years of Independence on 9th October 2025 at Kololo Independence Grounds starting at 9:00am. This year’s theme is “63 years of Independence :Areason to double our effort in sustaining aunited and progressive nation” The guest of honour will be H.E Yoweri Museveni who will be accompanied by very many powerful persons including a high delegation from Russia, Libya and United Arab Emirates.
This year’s celebrations will be more colourful as members of the armed forces are concluding rehearsals as they prepare to entertain Ugandans on this auspicious occasion. The parade will be manned by members of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces, Uganda Police, Uganda Prison Services and Wildlife Force.
On this very day, H.E the president will awards special medals to 23 distinguished persons whose services to Uganda have been very extra ordinary in one way or the other.
There will be a lot of entertainment befitting this honourable day. Ugandans are therefore invited to come to Kololo in big numbers ready to eat, drink to their satisfaction and be ready to be entertained nonstop.
Why do we celebrate this honourable..?
On the dawn of Tuesday 9th October 1962, Ugandans from all walks of life, regardless of class or tribe, jubilated when the Union Jack came down and the Ugandan flag was raised. Indeed, independence came with high expectations that everything would change for the best: that all people would equally enjoy free education and health care services. It was hoped that a Ugandan leader would expunge the lines of division drawn by the colonial master along tribal territories; and that Uganda would be able to make national decisions without reference to London – the seat of the colonial power.
This is also the day to remember our independence heroes. People like Ignatius Kangave Musaazi (Formed the 1st Political Party in Uganda; the Uganda National Congress UNC in 1952, assisted by Abubakar Kakyama Mayanja for Buganda, Stefano Abwangato (from Bugisu) Yekosefat ngur (from Lango), Ben Okwerede (from Teso) and S.B Katembo (from Toro).
Others were Sir. William Wilberforce Nadiope (who was part of the Ugandan delegation that went to the 1961 Lancaster Conference in England to advocate for Independence), Benedict Kiwanuka (1st Prime Minister of Uganda from 1st March 1962 to 30th April 1962 when he was succeeded by Milton Obote), Semakula Mulumba (severely clashed with the Colonial Protectorate Government Officials in Entebbe and British Government Officials in London
Uganda’s ‘false start’ independence journey
Uganda got her independence 63 years amidst a lot of expectations. However, events soon started to go seriously wrong. Obote rewrote the constitution to consolidate virtually all powers in the presidency. He then began to nationalise, without compensation, US$500 million worth of foreign assets. The 1966 Buganda crisis that made the Fist President Sir Edward Mutesa flee the country and Obote subsequently abolished the Kingdoms and declared himself President set the country into reverse gears. In 1966 still, Dr Obote overthrew the constitution and replaced it with own that was later to be baptised the pigeonhole constitution.
In 1971, army commander Maj. Gen. Id Amin made a coup and Uganda generated into total anarchy.Uganda remained in political chaos until 1986 when President Yoweri Museveni came to power and since then he has made many political and economic reforms to turn a round Uganda.
Uganda’s economy has strengthened its resilience to domestic and external shocks and been growing at estimated 6% over the last 30 years. In nominal terms, the size of the economy is estimated at Shs. 226.3 trillion, equivalent to USD 61.3 billion. This is equivalent to USD 174.2 billion in Purchasing Power Parity terms. This growth is broad-based, including in agriculture, industry and services like ICT.
Regional and global context, the East African Community (EAC) and African Union (AU) continue to prioritize integration to foster economic growth, infrastructure development, and regional stability. A significant milestone was achieved on July 25, 2024, when the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) uniting COMESA, EAC, and SADC officially came into force. This integrated market creates expansive trade opportunities across three major regional blocs. The EAC, in partnership with the AU Border Programme, has also launched a peace caravan to promote harmony among communities in Uganda, Kenya, and South Sudan.
The growth of the economy has enabled Uganda tackle the other sectors of the economy so effectively. Education, health, ICT, transport, tourism, science and innovation, manufacturing and industrial growth. These and many others are shaping Uganda’s journey into upper middle-income country very possible.
Finally, as we celebrate 63 years of independence, we are aware that peace, stability and rule of law can only take one so far, but if one does not feed the people, those bragging rights can become a thing of nightmares. It is time to focus on the objective of prosperity for all. It is with this thought in mind that the Ugandan Government has declared all-out war on poverty.
Looking at the past 63 years of independence, government can confidently say that as a nation, we have made significant progress in our developmental trajectory. Bringing about prosperity is the next frontier for economic emancipation, and the strategy is in place to pursue this objective.Our democratic growth is getting better with continuous improvements. Tribalism and sectarianism vises that were planted by the colonialists are slowly being eliminated.
Happy 63rd Independence Anniversary to all Ugandans
By Hon. Milly Babirye Babalanda
Minister for Presidency
