Ugandans will on Sunday June 9th 2019 converge at Kasanje Town Council in Wakiso District to celebrate the 30th Heroes’ Day anniversary, an annual event to pay tribute to people who exemplified and defended the highest values of patriotism and sacrifice for the wellbeing of the country and its citizens.
Addressing the media in Kampala this morning, Hon Esther Mbayo Minister for Presidency and Member of Parliament Luuka District revealed that this year’s theme is; “Celebrating the Courageous Heroes that brought the peace and prosperity we are enjoying.”
She explained that among others, heroic values to be celebrated include proven integrity, patriotism and sacrifice, acts of bravery, setting a good example, truthfulness, and love for others.
“We owe a great debt to the sons and daughters of this country and all the other heroes who fought for Uganda to be free. The tree of our liberty was watered by their blood. It is a debt we can neither repay, nor ever forget” the minister said.
Basing on facts related to the arms strangle, the minister says Kasanje was a fighting corridor against the fascist regime of UPC in 1980s and was at first dominated by the Uganda Freedom Movement (UFM) led by the late Dr. Andrew Kayiira before they joined hands with another fighting group FEDEMU of the late George Nkwanga. These two later merged with the NRA en-route to liberating Uganda in 1986.
Prominent fighters of the UFM/FEDEMU include Maj. Gen. Kasirye Gwanga, late George Nkwanga, Brig Adda Hussein (rtd), Brig. Mark Kodili (rtd) Col. Kalyesubula (rtd), Capt. Kiwanuka, Maj. Rwamiti Nyago, Capt. Kamya Nkima, Capt. Paul Kavuma, Maj. Nsubuga, Lt. Nansera Lubega etc .
What is critical about Kasanje and Mpigi areas is that they suffered brutal arrests and death of the citizens especially after the botched attack on the Lubiri barracks by the UFM forces in early 1982.
In Mpigi District, hundreds of lives were lost to the whims of these state agents of the ruling Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) government as they “assisted” the army in hunting down anti-government rebels. Mpigi of the time encompassed today’s Districts of Mpigi, Wakiso, Butambala and Gomba.
Between 1980 and 1985, Kasanje was represented in Parliament by Hon. Dr. Paulo Kawanga Ssemogerere, President-General of the Democratic Party. The Uganda Freedom Movement rebels and later the Federal Democratic Movement (FEDEMU) considered this predominantly DP district a natural haven for their activities. In reaction, the UPC government apparently condemned Mpigi as a rebel territory and unleashed state forces without mercy.
“We therefore remember those patriotic countrymen and women with pride because they did not die in vain. As a country we have deliberately decided to focus on the youth as Heroism is no longer a thing only for the old. The youth are the ones largely working and capable of developing and defending this nation. The NRM Government, on its part, has made commendable efforts to uphold these principles as a strategic foundation of Uganda’s development” she added.
Hon. Mbayo urged all Ugandans to reflect deeply and seriously on the sacrifices these gallant sons and daughters of Uganda made.
