Oh Uganda, may GOD uphold thee!
We lay our Future in your [GOD's] Hands.
United free, for Liberty,
Together we'll always stand.
Oh Uganda, the Land of Freedom,
Our Love and Labour we give.
And with Neighbours all,
At our Country's Call
In Peace and Friendship we'll live.
Oh Uganda, the Land that feeds us
By Sun and fertile Soil grown.
For our own dear Land,
We'll always stand the Pearl of Africa's Crown!
[Adopted on 9th October 1962 (one of the Shortest in the World), the Uganda National Anthem was composed by George Wilberforce Kakoma. There is no dispute about the composer because this song was selected from about 50 applications for a contest unlike the Uganda Flag; school taught us that (Justice) Grace Ibingira designed the National Flag but Semei Nyai Matia (born on 1st January 1933) who has a home in Mvara (Suburb east of Arua City) among other claimants also says he designed the black, yellow and red colours. Everytime the National Anthem is sung or played at a public event, people are expected to show respect by either standing upright or raising their right hand in case they are disabled, sick or expectant mothers. Records say that Black on the Uganda flag stands for the dark African skin; Yellow stands for abundant Sunshine while Red stands for Brotherhood which I wish was simply the Blood of JESUS; I guess White stands for the Colonialists...]
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YOWERI MUSEVENI Quotes
Those who did not vote for me should not think that because they did not vote for me, I will not serve them... even those in Prison...Arua is Part of our Country whether they vote for Museveni or not, we shall build their Road (from Karuma). But the Political Cake, this is another Matter: where do you get the Minister from? (NRM Marks Victory in Luweero, 1996)
It's exactly 5 1/2 Hours from Uganda to Alexandria (Egypt) and 5 1/2 Hours to Cape Town (South Africa); when you are here, you are in the Middle of Africa... (Thursday 12th May 2016 Swearing In Speech at Kololo Independence Ground, KLA City)
The People are not foolish; they can see through all sorts of Deception...
You can attack me, make a fool of me, make all sorts of funny cartoons about me but leave my wife out of this, she's my wife not a politician...
Let us sleep without Food but make the Roads...
I will always regard Luweero as my political Mecca because they are the Ones who provided for us a physical Base, though many were killed...
I am a Freedom Fighter. I would feel insulted if you called me a Politician...
It's from People that Politicians derive their Strength...
It's from People that Politicians derive their Strength...
Uganda’s Causes of Disunity mainly spring from Fears that Public Officials are cutting up the National Cake among themselves...
Politicians preach that there are many Languages in Uganda. That's Rubbish, there are only four: Bantu, Luo, Karimojong-Ateso and Madi-Lugbara...
Politicians preach that there are many Languages in Uganda. That's Rubbish, there are only four: Bantu, Luo, Karimojong-Ateso and Madi-Lugbara...
Language is a Store of Human Knowledge. The African Chiefs could have resisted the Whiteman. The Guns then were no better than Spears...
Runyankore-Rukiga is richer than English... 22,000 Words in this Thesaurus...
Everytime you lag behind in Technology, you are bound to be a Slave...
The Issue about Integration (East Africa Federation) is about two Things: Prosperity of our People through Production and Strategic Security… Prosperity: Let’s take Maize now. In 1986, Uganda was producing 200,000 Tonnes of Maize. We are now producing 4 Million Tonnes. We are consuming only 1 Million Tonnes. So there is a Surplus of 3 Million Tonnes. Where do you sell this? If we did not have the Market of South Sudan and Kenya, the Maize Industry would collapse. Milk: In 1986, we were producing 200 Million Litres of Milk. We are now producing 2 Billion Litres of Milk. But we are consuming only 800 Million. So where do we sell the rest? That is the Prosperity… The Americans are talking about 4 Dimensional Superiority that they want to be superior to everybody in the World: on Land, in the Air, at Sea and in Space and we are sitting here with our little Uganda, our little Kenya and our little this and we are not thinking about that. Why should anybody want to be superior everywhere and for us we are just sitting here talking about little Things, little Things…Everytime you lag behind in Technology, you are bound to be a Slave...
Uganda is now capable; there is nothing we cannot do if you prioritise…
The Petroleum Law was passed by Parliament, every Clause and all the political Parties were in that Parliament. So how can anybody talk about Unaccountability?
Don’t make false Accusations…
If you are not sure about the Electricity, I advise you go to Yumbe and touch the Wires…
Uganda now is an Exporter of Human Resource in terms of Petroleum Science…
Of course, that Oil Money will be used for, we’ve said this before, Infrastructure (some Elements), (Special Fund for) Science. It will not be used for importing Perfumes and Things like that. It will not be used for Consumption but for Science, for Innovation, for Infrastructure especially the Railway and for Electricity especially Hydro… It is in Black and White…
That Israel is a Country which was born in a lot of Problems. But it has been able to use all the Spectrum of their Leaders: the young ones, the old ones since Independence, even before independence since the Resistance. All these Leaders have been available. So I am not able to understand the Obsession of saying that the old Cadres must not be available for Service...
Afterall, it's the People who elect. I don't elect myself...
Our Countries have got a lot of Problems and you have Leadership Resources: young, like me am an old Man 71 Years old...
What are you worried about?
At no time, during the 27 years of my political social economic efforts, did we try to “kuleemesa” (to fail) the governments that were in power: The British, UPC one, Idi Amin, UNLF, UPC two or Okello Lutwa. Instead, we were always trying to use the positive points that existed in the respective governments, even when we were fighting. Idi Amin built the Hima cement factory and the salt processing factory at Katwe-Kabatooro. We never tried to blow up those factories even when we were fighting Idi Amin with guns. Why? It is because our line is that Uganda needs more and more factories, not less, whether the NRM is in power or not. When the NRM eventually came to power after many years of struggle, the country and the NRM were actually, in some small ways, helped by those factories. Nile Mansions and the Conference were actually built by Idi Amin. Obote had only dug the foundation; it is Idi Amin who finished it. Uganda House was built by Idi Amin. The Post Office building where the NRM Secretariat was housed for many years, the Nalukolongo Railways’ workshop, etc., were built by Idi Amin. Nevertheless, we had to oppose Amin because he had fallen below the threshold of the minimum Patriotic African standards of leadership - i.e. Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, social-economic transformation and democracy and he had no right to do that; however, whatever little good he did, we had to preserve it... (2019 Budget Speech)
[Diwali 2019 at State House Entebbe:] You are one of our Tribes... Did we put them in the Constitution or what? Not yet? We shall add it! We shall add the Tribe of the Wahindi... Why shouldn't you be involved in policy decisions? I will call your Executive, not the whole Diwali Group... It was a big mistake for Idi Amin, even other African countries, you would hear people talking about Indians, Indians as if they are the problem, when in fact they are a very big asset... By 1956, the Indians both of Ntungamo, Mbarara, Kampala, Jinja were engaged in trading... bringing things from all over the place...
[Arua 1997:] Elections are like the Menu in Hotels; you choose what your Stomach prefers. But you also respect your Neighbour who is eating what your Stomach does not prefer. Then there will be complete Harmony in the Hotel...
If we did not cut Sugarcane and all became Clerks, what would we drink in our Kwete?
It's not that am the Only One who has got Knowledge or Wisdom or what! But, given the Challenges of a Country like this one or like Israel, Leaders... the People choose...
Whatever you talk about, talk about Uganda as it is, not as it should have been because it wasn't... Democracy means the People support you. If they don't support you, you don't win, that's all...
Here in Uganda, some People have said we have Absence of War but that's not Peace. Well, at least that is a Step forward. And we have Absence of War, not because People didn't want to cause War, but we could not allow them to cause War; we defeated them and that has given us Chance to deal with other Issues... (Second Round of #UGDebate2016)
The Main Cause about Wars is really ideological (in this Region like Somalia)...
The Authority of Marriage is in the Government; those who marry you are Agents. You only need two Witnesses... (InspireAfrica Entrepreneurship Challenge)
The Riches of any Nation are not just in the Soil or in the Ground but in its People...
A number of rich Countries don't have natural Resources but they depend on their own People who are educated, skilled and innovative. A good Example is Japan; you can even add South Korea...
If you have got a skilled human Resource, you can use the natural Resource of other People who are asleep to create Prosperity for yourself. That is what some Countries have been doing in the World...
Life Expectancy in Uganda has increased from a mere 43 Years in 1986 to now 63 Years when the Census was carried out (in 2014)... Immunisation, improved Water Supply, Sanitation and even Nutrition to some extent. If only we could do more on Nutrition! The Ministry of Health, I think the Doctors who manage the Ministry of Health need some Information about what we in the Army we call "Combined Arms". When you are attacking an Enemy, you don't use one Weapon; you use multiple and various Weapons. That's how you get Results...
Ugandans think that Land is for Accommodation. Akayumba wano, Akayumba wali (A House here, a House there)... So where shall we do Agriculture? This Land is finished by small Houses...
I have survived 90 percent Abuses...
We must teach our People to divide what comes from Land, not the Land itself...
When I taught Economics briefly, when I took Sabbatical Leave from fighting Idi Amin between 1974 and 1976, at Moshi Cooperative College in Tanzania, one of the Topics I used to teach was: "Characteristics of Backwardness". How do you know that a Country is backward? One of the Characteristics is a higher rural Population than the urban Population. If you look at a Country like the United States, I think only 2 percent of the People live in the Countryside but you know our Situation here, it is the Reverse. It used to be almost 90 percent but now it is coming down...
There is Work to be done but we are moving forward...
IDI AMIN Quotes
"The whole World are looking at Amin and Uganda as a whole..."
"I have three Best Friends: The Queen, Moshe Dayan (Israeli Defence Minister) and the British High Commissioner (Richard Slater, Uganda 1970-2)..."
"Last Friday, I announced the Decision of my Government to ask the British Government to take over Responsibility for the British Citizens of Asian Origin living in Uganda...
"Actually, I took this Decision for the Economy of Uganda and I must make sure that every Ugandan get the Fruit of Independent. Since Independence, Uganda is not yet independent I would say that even when the British handed over on the 9th October 1962, the Uganda still not yet independent. Uganda will be independent after this, my Decision. I want to see that the whole Kampala Street is not full of Indians. It must be proper Black Administration in those Shops is run by the Ugandans...
If they (Asian Nationals of Uganda) want to go, they are welcome to go. It will be like they are sitting on the Fire. You just wait after three Months, you will see... I think they will not sit comfortably here in Uganda... I am not responsible for building them Transit Camp...
"And that is now Lesson am teaching the British... I am correcting them from the Mistake they had made. If they had thinked before earlier that there is African here who can even work and building the Railway with Instruction given to them by the British, this Problem would not happen..."
"I would like to speak as the Heavyweight Champion here in Uganda, um, I am sure I will be even in Position to defeat or defend myself..."
"I've been a Member of the Rugby Team in Uganda, and I used to play second Row... I used to run 9.8 Second 100 Yards. With my Speed, with my Weight of getting the Ball and when you tackle me, you can harm yourself..."
"I wanted to tell the Boxers that the only Chance to defeat the Referee who are against you or against the Country is to win by Knockout... You must do everything possible to win by Knockout. You must knock anybody who is sparring with you in the Boxing Ring..."
"I come from very poor Family, I wanted to tell you this. And when I became bigger, my Father has no Money. I am to work, digging, and then People give me some Money for Food. And some Money I keep it and I pay my School Fees. And I study through Hardship, not just Comfort... then I was taken by Force into the Army here in Kampala during the War. And I went there, I did not want. But later on, because of Force during the Second World War, I was taken to Burma. And I work there until now. I went through Difficulty. I go to the Rank, from my Rank, from the Rank of Lance Corporal, up to General. I became General... And if they found that what you are saying, it is not Truth, then they will never listen for you again. And that, you will lose Confidence to the People. But the People likes me very much. The Reason why am very popular because I always speak to them Truth. And if I don't have anything to tell them, I keep quiet..."
"Since I came in Power, automatically Uganda became revolutionary, not only the Armed Forces, but the whole Police, Prisons, the whole Public..."
"If you don't disturb Lion, it can't do any Harm. And also I like very much Elephants because it is a Sign of Liberty, Freedom and it moves freely. It wants a big Space, this is the Elephant. And this is a Sign you can see in Africa. There is plenty of Land where it can move freely. It can eat completely without being disturbed. And you find this only in Africa. And that is why you find that the wild Animal have got Freedom mostly in Africa. And um, and uh, this is what am trying to do here in Africa. The Reason why am very popular, my Policy all over Africa and every African Peoples wants Freedom for their People. They have requested me to tell their Leaders to give them this Freedom and same Policy as I did here in Uganda. Because here I gave a completely full economical Independence to the People of Uganda..."
"During my Time as a revolutionary Leader, I want to bring everybody in Africa and Arab Worlds very closely, and Asia and Europe. Therefore, we the revolutionary Leaders, we want to be very friendly with all Peace-loving People in the Worlds..."
"This is the Most Beautiful Part in the Continent of Africa, used to be called the Murchison Falls but it is now Kabalega Falls National Park. That is the one, and it is a Tourist Attraction..."
"I came so close to the Arabs because they found that I'm the Most Influencing Leader in Africa, in the Continent. And also I'm a Leader who speaks the Truth... It is not because of the Muslim, because the People who broke Relationship with Israel, they are not only Muslims, they are Christians. But they have seen the Truth. And everybody listen for me. And even in O.A.U., if I don't speak, every Leader try to ask why and I must speak. Like in non-aligned Conference in Algeria, I was not feeling well. I did not speak. But 15 Minutes before the Conference closed, I was brought to come and give a Speech. I gave very good Speech including Castro broke Relationship with Israel after my Speech... But am trained as a Paratrooper in Israel. But I have got a very good Brain. And even General Dayan knows that am very good Field Officer. I know him, he has been my Friend. He has been giving me Dinner, Lunch in his House. If I go to Israel, I used to stay with Dayan. He brings Airforce Band playing for me. We stay together, but I must make absolutely Truth. The Reason why I chased them from Uganda was because of the Economy of Uganda. Uganda was going to be bankrupt. That is the Reason why I chased away the Israelis... I changed from Israeli Alliance because Israeli are criminals and they are not trusted People. They don't tell the World the Truth. They were taken to Palestine as Refugees and then they changed Palestine to became the State of Israel by Force of Arms given to them by Americans and the British... The Hitler's Problem is now Past Tense. Now we are looking forward for the future Generations and a future Plan. We are no longer going back to Hitler's. The War of Hitler, it was a different War than the War today... I am only one who has been in both Sides. During the '67 War, I was in Suez Canal on the other Side. And now am in Suez Canal, in the other Side. I like very much..."
"You must be concerned to know the Problems as a Minister, as a Governor, as any high-ranking Governmental Officer... You must be concerned in planning ahead for your Ministry. Nobody is to plan for you, but it is you with your Permanent Secretary and the whole Officer under your Command to plan for you... in advance. Not General Amin to tell you go and plan this and this for your Ministry... You should not be like a Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I'm speaking not even now when Otiang was there. Because some People who are rotten, they are there since Otiang was there and also he is there. These People have never been informed since the former Regimes. What they know is to educate People in Common Man's Chatter only, but not proper educating People the World's Policy of Government. This I know direct from international People whom I've been sending. They have been informing me that People have not been educated outside to know what actually is happening here in Uganda. And this is the Ministry of Foreign Affair. This is the Weakness of the Minister of Foreign Affair. And everybody must be removed who have got the Ideology or the Mentality of the Capitalist who are no Revolutionaries. I have been informed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs before even Ondoga came that this is good, this is good, must remain there. But I found they are rotten completely. They are the one who have been putting even "shameful", but while our Position is very good. We are not bankrupt completely in Uganda. We are very rich...
"If you go to any Country, you will find that everybody must love his Leader. They must love their Ministers; they must love their Governors; they must love their District Commissioners, their Teachers, their Chiefs. Everybody must be loved. This, it is an Education to the People. This is the Duty of the Minister. If I see a Minister is a Coward, automatically I kick you out of my Office because I know that you have got something wrong with you. I will put some another Person straight or any Governor or anybody. This I must make it absolutely clear... You must teach People to love their Leader...
"You People must work with Determinations and all other People, you must teach them to work with Determinations. If I go sometimes even in Ministry of Defence, I will not find even some Commanders in their Offices. I know this, I been telephoning several Time, checking with them, I can't find. They are in their Business in Kawempe, somewhere in Kampala, what. You must put your Contribution. If I find you not attend Cabinet three Times without Reason, you are out of Government...
"Number Four... The Most Importance of the Chiefs and the Town Agents, if they are to work very hard, they will help the Police, the Prison, the Airforce, the Army. This include the Military Police. they will help you the Ministers. They will not make even Police very busy, because they know who is actually good in the Towns, who is not very good in the Town... Use these Town agent properly. They are being paid by the Government; they are not just working for nothing...
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"I want to see that Ugandans work very hard... I said that the Duty of the Woman is the House Woman. He knows how to keep House very well. If he can do that, let me make first Examinations: appoint Women to be the Managers of Hotel, which is done. Because this is Part of the Woman's Job. If they can keep House very well, it is exactly like their Duty as a Housewife. If he's well-educated, he has got that Brain, he is determined, he can look after the Hotel very well. I want to see a Woman International Hotel - very big one. Must be Woman Ugandans, and I know they can do it. And you as a Minister, you must back them completely. If you find any Man trying to not to obey the Order and everything, you can punish that Person. You can remove that Person. You can put loyal People to her to see that we keep up standard. I think we are the first in our Country, in Africa today, who have got many Woman Managers than other Countries... We have got four Manager and we have got another two Assistant Manager...
"There is C.I.A. Agents through Africa. Africans, Black Africans who are coming here. And you should know that Spy is criminal. To be an Spy is very bad. And your Case is Death, completely, Sentence. This I must make it absolutely clear. If I found anybody is a Spy, and any Spy is found and anybody is coming in this Cover. See, I want you to see that everybody must be checked, his Poll-tax for about three or five Years. And if he is found to be Spy, his Case is firing Squad...
"Telephone me at 5 O'Clock, Midnight... My Telephone is simple. If you telephone me at 2241, whether at 3 O'Clock in the Morning, I get your Telephone, I speak to you..."
- (Cabinet Meeting)
"I am not completely Communism, and I am not Capitalism because I, even very many Leaders ask me to join that Part, that Part I don't want. I am only Leader who is alone completely and following on only Uganda, and this is how we want. We want to be just free and also friendly to the Capitalism People, friendly to the Socialism People. But we are not going to adopt anything. But we only choose what is the Best from Capitalism, from Communism, we put in our, our Policy of the Country. And this is what we found better. We are not following any Policy at all..."
"I lead the Country on my Best Way, how I want them to be lead, according to my Democracy, according to my Knowledge, and according to my Thinking what is the Best Way of leading them. And then I lead them according to that Way. No Middleman..."
"I have 18 Children... I have 12 Boys and six Girls... I am very good Marksman, ahehehe! But I like Children very much. They are very happy..."
"Dreaming, it has been the true on my Side. Because some People dream which is not the Truth. But I dream the Truth. I dream, when I was still just none, nothing, completely, I will be the Army Commander. I am Commander of the Highest Man, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. I dream I will be the Head of State and the Most Highest Head of State in the World when I was just none and it became Truth. I dream completely in Karamoja, in August the Fourth, at about 5 O'Clock in the Morning that, if you take Decision now and remove the whole non-Citizens who are being milking the Economy of Uganda, this is the only Chance Uganda will get. You must take immediate Actions, I left the Place without Breakfast and I went and declare Economic War. And it is true, today the People in Uganda are enjoying. This is Truth. I dream about, before End of 1975, Arabs will win the War... I dream that, I know exactly when, how, what Time I am going to die. This I know. And which Year and which Date. All this I know already, and it is a Secret. I have said this clear. Yes I know. That is why you find me, I am not a Coward because I know how exactly am going to die following all what has been happening. And I know exactly. And I can know sometime what will happen in the Country or to me in the next few Hours or few Days. I know this exactly. And I know exactly who will be making something against me very soon. I can notice him straight. And he can get Punishment from GOD straight. Because I work only according to the GOD's Instruction. It is Voice of GOD and it is not me just speaking, but it is the Truth and it is meaningful."
"And if you are to follow de Gaulle, he was a very great Leader. Napoleon, very great Leader. Mao Tse-Tung is very great Leader... Gaddafi... popular... We have put a Foundation of how great we are in the Worlds... I am still fighting for the whole Black People all over the Worlds in Carribbeans, in Negro Americans... And they respect me very much, very highly. And they were taken to America as Slaves - those People. They did not want to go there. And this is their Country, but they were taken by force. Therefore, nobody should remove them from there. They must get independent in America and they must control the Americans. The Black People in America must be the President of the United States of America, must be the Secretary of State, like Kissinger. They are more brilliant than the Dr. Kissinger... I am very powerful than Americans. I have no Phantoms. I have a Brain, because I discover their Mistake in advance..."
"I won..."
"I have seen the whole African how they suffered, including my Father and everybody. I know this very well. I will just give you simple. People used to carry British on their Heads. British used to send , they make something like a Stretcher and put Chair on top. And they used to carry British for Miles and Miles. This is African carrying... And the Africans when they made a Mistake, they used to be beaten by Canes completely, by the British..."
"I wanted to make special Language in Black America of African because I wanted to brainwash them from British Colonials. And I wanted them to understand one Language in America. I might introduce Swahili to all Black Americans..."
"People will listen for Radio Broadcast from Uganda, direct. This is very important. It is going to be KiSwahili, English, French, Arabic. This is four official Language will be spoken..."
"You can actually educate People through Traditional Dance, how to make very good Garden like this. It will be in the Song. When you are singing, People are watching. You talk about the Flower. You must make very good Garden in your House. You must make House with Pit Latrines. People will understand. 'Oh, this Song has got Meaning. I must go and make this.' And you must boil the Water before you drink because you might have Disease in the Stomach. You are helping Doctor, you understand. You must work hard, you must produce more Foods for Export, for selling to get more Money and for your self Reserve in case of dry Season, hot Sun. You will have a reserve Food in your Store. You will not die from Hunger..."
"As a Pilot, when you are going to fight, you must not think that you are going back to the Base. But you must fly while knowing that you are going to complete your Mission. But if GOD bless you, you go back, back to the Base..."
"The People will appreciate what I was trying to do for the indigenous African..."
"People fought me, I fought them back but I never killed innocent People..."
"To be a Doctor is not very easy Thing... When you have reached that Standard, what you should do, you should practise more... And as a Doctor, you must be very clean, very smart. You behave very well like a Person. And also, you are not too drunk. You are the one who should advise the Public. You should advise General Amin not to drink. This is very important... To drink or overdrunk is not good, because you will not be able to enjoy more. Because you will not even have Sense. But if you drink very little, you feel very happy,, very proud, and you talk to the People..."
MILTON OBOTE Quotes
"Binaisa wants to be President, Museveni wants to be President, who else?"
"Obote, nobody likes him in Uganda, but particularly Baganda don't like him actually..."
"I was also Head of your Government for nine Years..."
"No Discrimination, either on Tribe or on Religion..."
"Everywhere, UPC..."
"We are so hungry President, now what should we cook? Cook your Heads!"
"Countrymen and friends,
At midnight tonight Uganda shall become Independent. We shall have a Uganda flag, a National Anthem and Coat of Arms. These will be symbols, but independence does not begin and end with the selection and raising of a flag, the singing of a National Anthem and the display of a Coat of Arms.
Our Independence shall mean great responsibilities for all of us without exception. Collectively, we shall all be responsible to safeguard our Independence and to ensure peace and stability within our country. In addition, the Government in whose name I now speak offers to you a firm determination to protect your life and property and opportunities for your advancement.
It is in this ensuring of peace and stability and this determination for the protection of life and property coupled with opportunities for advancement as individuals and combinations and as a country that I now call upon all to pass an irrevocable resolution marking our new status and guiding us into the future.
Let us add to that resolution that we are of Uganda and Uganda is ours. Let us recognize that and pay our tribute to these friends from inside and outside Uganda who have helped us on our way to Independence. Let us remember the best we have received and now inherit from the British administrators. I also ask all to give the missionaries past and present a special praise for the light they brought and do still maintain.
I cannot forget our men of commerce and industry and also our peasant farmers and the working men and women. Our ability to have a higher standard of living will depend as in the past on their success, security and happiness.
I pray to GOD to give us and our country the will to safeguard our freedom and to serve our country in peace. I pray that HE may give us reason and in reason we may seek and find, and may what I have said tonight bind us into the community of hope who shall think and strive and toil in such patterns, that work of more noble worth may yet be done.
All these and more: For GOD and My Country."
(Monday 8th October 1962)
GODFREY (LUKONGWA) BINAISA QC Quotes
"Entebe ewoma [Translated from Luganda: The Chair is sweet]..."
"The Problem with Post-Colonial Africa was that Kings wanted to become Presidents and Presidents wanted to become Kings..."
YUSUF LULE Quotes
"The Constitution of a State is different from that of a Party which is in Government, and clearly the Front [UNLF] is quite analogous to a Party in this regard. Failure to understand this basic Distinction is faulty and could lead to Confusion and unsatisfactory Results..."
"The Uganda Government won’t de-Africanise Premises and Businesses taken over by indigenous Ugandans when Dictator Idi Amin declared his so-called Economic War in 1972…"
TITO OKELLO Quotes
"Money is Money..."
"Money can ask you to buy anything..."
"Maridadi..."
"If you work like Obote, Blood cannot be stopped..."
"We all need Uganda; we are Uganda..."
PRESIDENTS OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA since 1962
1. Sir Edward Muteesa II [1924 - 1969] in power from 9th October 1962 to 2nd March 1966 for 2 years and 144 days (deposed), Kabaka Yekka (KY)
2. Milton Obote [1925 - 2005] in power from 2nd March 1966 to 25th January 1971 for 4 years and 329 days (deposed), Uganda People's Congress (UPC)
3. Idi Amin [1925 - 2003] in power from 25th January 1971 to 11th April 1979 for 8 years and 76 days (deposed), Military Republic
4. Yusuf Lule [1912 - 1985] in power from 13th April 1979 to 20th June 1979 for 70 days (deposed), Independent (UNLF)
5. Godfrey Binaisa [1920 - 2010] in power from 20th June 1979 to 12th May 1980 for 327 days (deposed), Uganda People's Congress (UPC), UNLF
6. Paulo Muwanga [1921 - 1991] in power from 12th May 1980 to 22nd May 1980 for 10 days (resigned), Uganda People's Congress (UPC), UNLF
7. Presidential Commission in power from 22nd May 1980 to 15th December 1980 for 207 days (outvoted)
8. Milton Obote, 2nd Regime elected in power from 17th December 1980 to 27th July 1985 for 4 years and 222 days (deposed), Uganda People's Congress (UPC)
9. Bazilio Olara Okello [1929 - 1990] in power from 27th July 1985 to 29th July 1985 for 2 days (resigned), Military
10. Tito Okello [1914 - 1996] in power from 29th July 1985 to 26th January 1986 for 184 days, (deposed), Military Republic
11. Yoweri Museveni [1944 - present] in power from 26th January 1986 to date is incumbent (voted in 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, etc), National Resistance Movement (NRM)
UG
"Every night for about a year I could see the same thing; an image of the continent of Africa. In this vision, Africa was dark, and I would hear a VOICE that would say: Out of what was called darkness will come a great light! And then I saw someone blowing a great trumpet - then a light started coming out of Uganda. It started as a very small light but grew bigger and bigger. As it grew bigger it expanded into other parts of Africa, until the whole continent was full of light. Then it started going out of Africa to the world... The light will come from within you - meaning us. HE said: Just as a life is changed from the inside out, Africa will be changed from the inside out. HE said: You are always looking outside yourself, looking to other people/ countries to be your light, but the light is inside of you. And as that light shines brighter, it will go out to other nations... Uganda is the Heart of Africa! Just as a light comes from a heart that is transformed, a life is transformed. When Uganda is transformed, HE said: Africa will be transformed... GOD has a purpose for Africa. GOD has a purpose for you. And as you fulfil your purpose in life, Uganda fulfils its purpose. And as Uganda fulfils its purpose, Africa fulfils its purpose. As Africa fulfils its purpose, it becomes a light to the world..." - PATIENCE MUSEVENI (RWABWOGO)
THE MAGNIFICENT MUSEVENI [Written by Aiko]When Yoweri Museveni came to Power, I was exactly two Years and 19 Days old. Since then, I have never voted for a new President despite being eligible for three Elections out of the five in my entire Lifetime: I did not need another President! In 1996 when Museveni was first elected, I became Headboy at my P7 School and got optimum 4 out of 4 Points in PLE. In 2001, I was in my S4 Vacation preparing to join my 2nd Choice Makerere College School for Advanced Level but still constitutionally under-age. In 2006, I was 22 Years old awaiting my Campus Graduation and able to vote but declined because I could deduce the exact Results from a Robert Kayanja Prophecy and Developments in the Political Arena: No Candidate died as prophesied but one dropped out of the Race so the leftover Percentage would definitely beef up Museveni's Results which happened exactly as I imagined. It was also the first Time I saw my President about a Metre away from me [despite many Opportunities in the Past] but he was being chauffeured in his Car to the After-Party at Sheraton Hotel on Swear-in Day; I wanted to salute him with my right Hand up near my Forehead but held back with subdued Goose Pimples because I had watched him many Times on TV and Newspapers since Childhood. I was walking back Home from picking up my Disappointment Letter at Communications House for the first of five PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Interviews at Makerere University where I had met several OBs and OGs whom I missed while at UCU. The Letter which I had even been telephoned to receive said I did well but the Number of Applicants was too high so some People had to be cut off; Disappointment Letters are totally unnecessary but I was still happy to see M7! In 2011, I was quite depressed after just one Month at The New Vision [I wondered why I couldn't cartoon for the Weekday Issues or continue cartooning], got a weird demonic Attack in my Head across the Road from UMA Showgrounds [while heading to MUBS through Nakawa Flats] just before receiving a Call from the Sister I follow about the untimely Death of a much older Friend plus hard Questions by a second Cousin about whether I have NSSF Pension Funds for my Future [I even smoked Marijuana rolled in a Paper Blunt to feel some Peace though never did again afterwards] but still afforded a Smile when Museveni won. Before and after the Elections, I heard the President's pre-recorded Voice on my Phone ; the first Time I excitedly responded like it was live: Yes Sevo!, but realised that he was not replying me in a normal Conversation, so I just listened. In 2016, I did not vote again and was painting at a Primary School in Arua on the Day of the Results but my Spirit kept telling me that Museveni would win by 61 percent while his next Challenger would have 35 percent. When I got Home, I saw 60.5 in the News; round that off and you get the clear Picture! Some of these Things are GOD-made; GOD put Museveni here for a Purpose and no Amount of Lies nor Opposition can wipe out his Legend. It is not Museveni who causes Sickness, Poverty or Unemployment: Jobs are everywhere, Work never ends, we are just lazy! Even if I do not have much Money, I don't feel oppressed by Museveni's Regime, so I have absolutely nothing against him, zilch, nara: Rain falls, the Sun shines, Rivers keep flowing and Vegetation is still growing; I just need to outmonster my own personal Problems oneway or another. Hard Luck to all those who hate him! Below are seven Things I have appreciated in Museveni's first seven Terms [35 Years]. I do not mind if GOD gives him 40 Years or more!
1. PEACE (SECURITY): Everyone agrees that the current Army is more disciplined than the ones before. In the 90s, you could still see disturbing Remnants of Uganda's turbulent Past in form of Roadblocks manned by Soldiers in green Uniforms [including World War II-like Helmets] plus bombed out Houses when you moved from Town to Town but slowly by slowly, they disappeared like Idi Amin used to say: "completely". Nowadays, when you hear of Violence in Uganda, it is usually an Opposition Protest, Youth Riot, Corruption Demonstration, Rebels, isolated Homicides, Mob Justice, Robber/ Criminal Chase or Campus Strike versus Police Teargas; same old Story. Other than that, Uganda is quite peaceful! Some of the Kifesi Thugs became bornagain. Even the Most Notorious Rebels in Northern Uganda were kicked out of UG to Central African Republic. There was always a Worry of the Kony Robber-Rebels when I travelled on the Arua-Kampala Highway but GOD protected me from them every Year between 2000 to 2013. Everytime Rebel Insurgencies begin in various Corners of UG, they are usually quelled by GOD's Grace. For many Years, Men, Women and Children have gathered at Night to listen to Speeches whether in Halls or at Church and sometimes get free Food without worrying too much about Bombs cutting off Power. When it gets to that Level like it did in Part of the Arab World, then you will remember and wish it was still M7's Regime! Uganda is protected by white Invisible Soldiers near the Border; maybe I have a wild Imagination, but that is what I have seen...
2. ROADS: From half tarmac/ half murram dirt Roads before 1986, Uganda had graduated to full Bitumen in many Parts of the Country by 2016. New Roads have also been opened. It is only after seeing what was before and what changed from East to West, North to South in the Road Sector that you will appreciate the Progress NRM has made. I used to suffocate in Dust and Bumps everytime I travelled by Public Bus from Karuma to Arua or vice versa but Things changed immensely: now the Rides are smooth and cool with the Sun glistening on your Skin as you enjoy the Oxygen in Murchison Falls Game Park plus Sights and Sounds of West Nile. Other Parts of the Country are also stunning: there are 100 kph Speed Limit Highways in the East for instance between Lira and Soroti, four Lane twoway Highways, stronger Bridges, Flyovers in KLA City and so forth. They are not as elaborate as those in the Most Developed Countries on Earth but come on, they are smoother and more all-weather than the Murram we were used to in the Past. Kudos to Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and all their Contractors including Soleil Boneh International (SBI) from Israel since Idi Amin's Time, Spencon, Civicon, Dott Services (Uganda), Cico, etc! Uganda has climbed a Mountain, no Need to fall back behind with Wars and Arguments about Ideologies. Just sit in the Grass and enjoy the Pearl of Africa! The LORD is my Shepherd...
3. EDUCATION [ARTS]: The Purpose of Learning is to find Knowledge and Ways of doing particular Things easily not just Degrees and Certificates. The Papers prove to someone hiring that you have been taught but you cannot blame Education for not giving People Jobs, it's just ridiculous! Work never ends; Entrepreneurship rules! Even S2 Dropouts can speak better English or work more efficiently than Masters Students. The latter choose a Path to chase Papers while the former just focus and develop their marketable Skills so that by the Time they have no Money to continue with Studies, they can use the little they have learnt to make a Living. It's all about applying what we have learnt; everyone is gifted differently and even if you are not hired as Staff by a Company, you can still employ yourself. A Penfriend of mine from Germany told me in 1999 that they have four Types of Secondary Schools: one for the gifted Brainiacs, not so gifted, then Sportsmen and finally the Special Needs. But even if our Education System is not exactly structured as theirs, you cannot blame the Curriculum all the Time yet Libraries exist. I do not believe that Education is only in Schools: there are Books, Seminars, Web Tutorials and even Media which has grown exponentially during Museveni's Regime. There is a lot you can learn from TV and Radio; People just do not want to accept that they are learning while listening to News, a Song or watching a Soccer Match but you can learn something new including Vocabulary...
4. RELIGION: Well, a holy GOD exists and JESUS is LORD, no Arguments! I'm not condoning the Prevalence of traditional Witchcraft in my Country but the Freedom to pray to the True ALMIGHTY of the Universe during Museveni's Regime has allowed the Evil in Satanic Worship to be exposed. The Devil is a rebellious Angel of Light plus Darkness; he never flinches and he also walks in Uganda, so everybody has to expect spiritual War but the Battle is already won through an Israeli-born Carpenter's Blood. Roger that Benjamin Netanyahu...
5. HEALTHCARE: So many Hospitals plus Health Centres have been built and old ones renovated during Mzee's Tenure. When Drugs get finished in the Government Hospitals, it is possible that some of it might have been diverted to private Clinics by the hired Government Workers but it never means that more won't come. I'm not saying that they should continue diverting the Drugs without a Stoppage, but while Patients wait for Reinforcement, there are lots of Pharmacies or Drugstores that sell Alternatives. Not everyone can afford the expensive Lists but there is a huge Probability that whatever someone is looking for is reachable somewhere within the Country; Healing occurs here too. Some non-Governmental organisations like Indian Associations even give free medical Tests and Care on selected Occasions. I have been sick so many Times in my Lifetime and even witnessed People die because of various Sicknesses, not because there were no Drugs but simply because it was their Time. Millions of Children have been born during Museveni's Regime and they have grown healthily. For the unlucky ones, we pray GOD helps us all in the Name of JESUS. The Life Expectancy in Uganda is above 40 yet the Age Limit in Heaven is below 40 as in dead Saints revert to their Youth so we must be living in double Heaven in Uganda. Furthermore, Agriculture is Health...
6. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: Someone said Singapore is more developed than Uganda yet it was not in the 1960s; Another said South Korea is now also more developed than Uganda, yada yada yada yada! But if Ugandans import Technology from Asia and use it, what's the Difference? Ugandans give Foreigners a Market while at the same Time offering them Enjoyment in Terms of Exports or plain Tourism, that is if they are interested to come. Some Ugandans also go to work in or marvel at other Countries; this Symbiosis is called Trade. Besides, I do not think Ugandans are too daft not to know how to repair most of this outsider Technology when it fails. What does it take? Just bring the Spareparts here and witness Magic! A lot of technological Changes have happened during Museveni's Regime. It is an Insult to Jua Kali plus Departments of Science and Technology in the Country that nothing is happening; it's just not reported with immense Focus in the Mainstream Media. Imagine a Ugandan TV Station reporting the Nation's Sci-Tech only! Hey Disney Studios, have you found the King of Katwe yet? Ugandans in Katwe don't only play Chess, they also do "kaniking": generic Ugandan-English slang for Repair and Maintenace or Mechanical Ingenuity! Thanks for Queen of Katwe nonetheless, great Movie! Tuli kubigere [We are on Foot]...
7. FUTURE: The Future is bright and always planned for because Museveni has Vision and so do those who work around him; I do not buy into this School of Thought that Uganda is doomed to fail; in fact as the World develops further, Uganda also develops because we are all Humans and interlinked. We might not be at the same Level as others in terms of so much but we are moving forward, playing Catchup! In 2017, Uganda even made it to AFCON after 39 years of failed Attempts; I guess Coach Micho was GODsent. There will be another Dorcus Inzikuru, Stephen Kiprotich, Moses Kipsiro or Jacob Kiplimo Type of Gold Medalist! Why worry? Even when GOD decides to finally replace Museveni, I am 100 percent sure Citizens will look back and accept that what this Man has seen us through is praiseworthy: In three Decades, Uganda has enjoyed relative Peace and Progress - I fancy the ROADS especially; GOD save Museveni!
