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 KATONGA HEROES | MUSEVENI TURNS 79 

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the ruling party NRM national chairman, said Friday that his government has a future plan of transforming Uganda into a modern society.

But to achieve this, every Ugandan must join the money economy and every young person should get the necessary education, he added.

"There are two ways of creating a new society," he said at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala.

"One is by offering free education and the second way is to stop working only for the stomach. We want everybody to work for the stomach and also for the pocket. This is how we shall get a modern society. 

"We don't want a peasant to produce another peasant. That is very bad.  Therefore, all of you who are here, you should know that this is our plan for the future."

Museveni was in the company of the First Lady, Janet Museveni, as  hundreds of people celebrated his 79th birthday and at the same time paid tribute to the Katonga war heroes.

Museveni reiterated his call to Ugandans to focus on commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT if they desire to create wealth and overcome the unemployment challenges.

"We don't want non-educated and poor people."

The President thanked the senior presidential advisor of political affairs and head of the Office of the NRM National Chairperson, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, and her team for organizing the event.

"I am glad that you agreed to unite my 79 years of life with our struggle. In this case, the struggle of September 1985 (Katonga). I want to thank all those who fought in the Katonga battles and those who fought the battles before."

The President and his wife received a coffee maker as a gift from the Bazukkulu

Museveni further explained that all the past wars that happened in Uganda were unnecessary because there was always another way of solving the problems peacefully.

"Since 1962, we could have had peaceful politics, but some people didn't want to. They decided to go for violence and sectarianism. They never wanted the elections to decide. We would have used peaceful means to solve our problems."

The President also assured the war veterans that he will invite them for a meeting for them to talk about the challenges they face.

'Triumph of human spirit'

Two former Ugandan vice-presidents were among the notable people that attended the event: Gilbert Bukenya and Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi.

The current bearer of that office, Jessica Alupo, said the momentous occasion not only marked a significant milestone in the history of Uganda, but also served as a reminder of the indomitable spirits and unwavering commitment displayed by those who fought tirelessly for the liberation and progress of Uganda.

"Your Excellency, the visionary leadership that you provided during the struggle enabled the revolutionary fighters of Katonga to embark on a courageous journey to reclaim our sovereignty and establish a prosperous Uganda," she said.

"The battle of Katonga, fought with unwavering determination and sacrifice, symbolizes the triumph of the human spirit and a resilience of a united people."

Alupo added: "Today,  as we look back on the heroic deeds of the past, we are reminded of the immense challenges that we are to overcome and the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who resisted oppression and injustice. 

"Their bravery continued to inspire generations, reminding us of the importance of unity, perseverance and unwavering faith in our shared vision."

On her part, Namyalo, described by Museveni as 'chief muzzukulu', said the celebrations were aimed at celebrating the President's birthday and paying tribute to the Katonga war heroes who fought tooth and nail to ensure peace and freedom prevail in Uganda.

"We are  all aware that that was the most hardest battle ever fought by the NRA," she said.

"Today, we gather here to express our heartfelt gratitude and profound admiration for the brave men and women who served our nation with utmost valour. They sacrificed their comfort to protect the freedoms we hold here."

She also pledged that as bazzukulu (Museveni often refers to the young generation as the bazzukulu to mean grandchildren), they will continue emulating Museveni's admirable character that has helped to transform Uganda.

There were performances by different youth groups...

Ugandan comedian and actor Herbert Mendo, whose stage name is Teacher Mpamire, did well to crack Museveni's ribs with his mimicking of the President himself, right from his outfit.

Museveni was in tears of laughter as a result of the comic production that also excited the huge audience gathered at Kololo....