MOTHERLAND. As Uganda celebrates her Independence jubilee,there are numerous reasons to smile and frown about her journey.
Life asked some people what they love about the country.
Hon Christine Ondoa, Minister of Health
I love the nature and the beauty of the country. We have peace, freedom of speech and business. Kampala has expanded from the seven known hills. The education system has been improved with the many universities, institutions and schools. There is an improvement in the health sector where the services are extended to all the health centres, people no longer need to travel long distances in search of health services.
I love the nature and the beauty of the country. We have peace, freedom of speech and business. Kampala has expanded from the seven known hills. The education system has been improved with the many universities, institutions and schools. There is an improvement in the health sector where the services are extended to all the health centres, people no longer need to travel long distances in search of health services.
Timothy Mutebi, taxi driver Ggaba stage
I love nothing about my country because it is filled with corruption; the leaders no longer care about us the peasants. We always go to hospitals but do not find medicine. Our children go to school but are not taught because the teachers are striking and there are high levels of unemployment. People have lost the dignity and women dress indecently. It is so annoying that no president has left the presidency peacefully.
I love nothing about my country because it is filled with corruption; the leaders no longer care about us the peasants. We always go to hospitals but do not find medicine. Our children go to school but are not taught because the teachers are striking and there are high levels of unemployment. People have lost the dignity and women dress indecently. It is so annoying that no president has left the presidency peacefully.
Peter Kajjiri, councillor, Buwama, Mpigi District
I love the cultural settings where people are free to practise their cultures and norms. Uganda is a God fearing country and people have been given chance to practise their religions. I also love the built relationship between the policemen and soldiers with common people, they are no longer a threat like it was before independence; they got to know that we are human like them.
I love the cultural settings where people are free to practise their cultures and norms. Uganda is a God fearing country and people have been given chance to practise their religions. I also love the built relationship between the policemen and soldiers with common people, they are no longer a threat like it was before independence; they got to know that we are human like them.
Julie Mutesasira, local gospel artiste
Everything around us is good, for example, the security. People move at any time of the night without being bothered by army or policemen like it was before independence. I always leave functions late at night and reach safely. I love the favourable weather. It never interfers with our trade or locations that much unlike in other countries where people may get displaced.
Everything around us is good, for example, the security. People move at any time of the night without being bothered by army or policemen like it was before independence. I always leave functions late at night and reach safely. I love the favourable weather. It never interfers with our trade or locations that much unlike in other countries where people may get displaced.
Patrick Isiko, LCII chairman Buwenda Parish, Mafubira Sub county, Jinja
There is freedom of speech, worship and good security in the country .
In education there is a problem, those days they used to give scholastic materials but it is not the case these days despite there is free education.Nonetheless, for the last 26years, there has been security. Women have been also recognised as you can see, there are female ministers, which is good for our country.
There is freedom of speech, worship and good security in the country .
In education there is a problem, those days they used to give scholastic materials but it is not the case these days despite there is free education.Nonetheless, for the last 26years, there has been security. Women have been also recognised as you can see, there are female ministers, which is good for our country.
Faith Biyinzika, textile cloth dealer, Jinja
I love Uganda because the security has improved. People move freely throughout the night. Even if you come across police and soldiers they do not disturb along the roads.
I see people travelling with soldiers in public vehicles and interacting freely which was a great change compared to the past regimes. There is stability in the country, people are constructing big houses and there is free education for the children of Uganda.
I love Uganda because the security has improved. People move freely throughout the night. Even if you come across police and soldiers they do not disturb along the roads.
I see people travelling with soldiers in public vehicles and interacting freely which was a great change compared to the past regimes. There is stability in the country, people are constructing big houses and there is free education for the children of Uganda.
Andrew Ogwang Oyang, LC5 vice-chairman, Lira
I love my county motto- For God and My Country- this makes Uganda a religious country that embraces all sorts of religious sects within the country; everyone is free to practice his or her religion. Secondly, what I love about my county Uganda is the recognition of the contribution of different personalities in the country. Celebrating Ugandan Independence is recognising the effort of the ex-President Apollo Milton Obote and his auxiliaries in the fight to bring freedom from colonial domination.
I love my county motto- For God and My Country- this makes Uganda a religious country that embraces all sorts of religious sects within the country; everyone is free to practice his or her religion. Secondly, what I love about my county Uganda is the recognition of the contribution of different personalities in the country. Celebrating Ugandan Independence is recognising the effort of the ex-President Apollo Milton Obote and his auxiliaries in the fight to bring freedom from colonial domination.
Gertrude Lando, Mbale
If the people who struggled for this country to get independence came back today, they would ask to go back immediately because they will find a country they craved for messed up. The old governments were here for a short time, but there was no corruption, they built infrastructure that still stands the test of time. Today, the only thing I can love about Uganda is that we are independent, we can manage our affairs although the type of leaders we have all self-seekers, we just need to revisit our past.
If the people who struggled for this country to get independence came back today, they would ask to go back immediately because they will find a country they craved for messed up. The old governments were here for a short time, but there was no corruption, they built infrastructure that still stands the test of time. Today, the only thing I can love about Uganda is that we are independent, we can manage our affairs although the type of leaders we have all self-seekers, we just need to revisit our past.
Monday Kabiito, a trader in Masaka
What I like about Uganda today is the relative peace and stability that we are enjoying. The question is how long will it last, especially if we do not pursue the political lines that sustain stability and peace, such as carrying out fair elections? There is some economic development and people everywhere in Masaka Region are constructing better houses. I see more cars on the road. If we learn to change our leaders peacefully and we sustain this kind of stability then the future will be bright.
What I like about Uganda today is the relative peace and stability that we are enjoying. The question is how long will it last, especially if we do not pursue the political lines that sustain stability and peace, such as carrying out fair elections? There is some economic development and people everywhere in Masaka Region are constructing better houses. I see more cars on the road. If we learn to change our leaders peacefully and we sustain this kind of stability then the future will be bright.
Mary Bebwajuba, Kabale District vice chairperson
People vote candidates of their choice regardless of who is influencing them. Uganda is a better country than what it used to be in the past. Government policies on education such as universal primary and secondary education, Naads, improved health services at parish level, improved transport systems making the rural villages connected to market centres to sell their agriculture products makes Uganda a good country to live in.
People vote candidates of their choice regardless of who is influencing them. Uganda is a better country than what it used to be in the past. Government policies on education such as universal primary and secondary education, Naads, improved health services at parish level, improved transport systems making the rural villages connected to market centres to sell their agriculture products makes Uganda a good country to live in.
Canon James Kahuku, retired church leader, Kabale
I love Uganda today because of the current peace and freedom of expression. In the olden days, you would not be sure of tomorrow. The existence of many places of worship and dedicated church leaders have also made Uganda a beautiful country for one to live in. What we want to day is for Ugandans to love and forgive each other to fight greed and promote harmony.
I love Uganda today because of the current peace and freedom of expression. In the olden days, you would not be sure of tomorrow. The existence of many places of worship and dedicated church leaders have also made Uganda a beautiful country for one to live in. What we want to day is for Ugandans to love and forgive each other to fight greed and promote harmony.
George Rashid Opio- Ojwina LC5 councilor, Gulu
My love towards the country is improving now that people are preparing for the celebration of Uganda’s 50 years of independence.
However, there are few things in the country that need to be addressed; the level of corruption by the Central Government is becoming unbearable and affecting development
in the country.
My love towards the country is improving now that people are preparing for the celebration of Uganda’s 50 years of independence.
However, there are few things in the country that need to be addressed; the level of corruption by the Central Government is becoming unbearable and affecting development
in the country.
Sam Kusemererwa, fruits seller, Kampala
I would have been proud of my country and all we have as Ugandans, but the problem is that we are not safe. Our security is poor, poverty levels are still high, and leaders do not want to leave their post. This has created wrangles and insecurity right from the local levels.
I would have been proud of my country and all we have as Ugandans, but the problem is that we are not safe. Our security is poor, poverty levels are still high, and leaders do not want to leave their post. This has created wrangles and insecurity right from the local levels.
Sula Magezi, human rights activist, Masaka
What I like about Uganda today is the freedom that we have which allows people from any part of Uganda to move and do business or any other job in any part of Uganda. Take Masaka here as an example; we have people from Kisoro and Fort Portal working here without any problem. When you go to Mbarara you will find people from as far away as Jinja.
What I like about Uganda today is the freedom that we have which allows people from any part of Uganda to move and do business or any other job in any part of Uganda. Take Masaka here as an example; we have people from Kisoro and Fort Portal working here without any problem. When you go to Mbarara you will find people from as far away as Jinja.
By Bruce Amp
