OPINION

By Stephen Asiimwe

Uganda is marking 61 years of independence on Monday. As a nation, we have made some progress in various fields.

Throughout this period, Uganda like any other state is a product of colonialism and imperialism.

Uganda’s cohabitation began in the 18th century when Queen Victoria granted the Imperial British East African Company (IBEAC) a royal charter to annex British East Africa into her overseas market. Since then, Uganda and other countries on this continent are still markets for the products of their masters.

As we celebrate Independence Day this year, it is important to remind our youth that they have a crucial role to play in nation building. Globally, youths have always taken centre stage in socio-economic development. They represent a measure of success or failure in every state or region depending on what governments do with or for them. They are the building blocks of meaningful growth. The youth are very energetic and enthusiastic, they can learn and adapt to the environment.

Similarly, they are willing to learn and act to achieve their goal. We must make them aware of their power to spur nation building given their robust capacities and abilities. Their participation in democracy promotes active citizenship, strengthens social responsibility and improves democratic process and institutions. They are not only leaders of tomorrow, but also patterns of today. They only need to be guided and mentored to understand the prevailing global situation. They need to be given adequate opportunities to present ideas and policies for the good of their nation or communities. They should be motivated to take part in polices and expand their positions. The youths should be engaged more in patriotism and the national ethos. The yearning for freedom would never have been sparked in the minds of the people, were it not for the brave pioneers showing the way. Uganda would have remained a nation of scarcity.

Indeed, the ultimate recognition for independence leaders was not just merely becoming president in leading people to unshackle themselves from the chains of political, economic and mental subjugation, it took the likes of Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and others to pick up cudgels and move Uganda to where it is now.

American politician Adlai Stevenson once said; We can chart our future clearly and wisely only when we know the path that led us to the present.” Our theme for the 61st Independence Day celebrations is: Sustaining a united and progressive nation: Taking charge of our future as a free a nation.

Therefore, we must value and recognise the youth at a tender age so that young people can appreciate democratic principles and become responsible citizens.

The youths should be “demographic dividends” ensuring stability and prosperity for decades to come.

This calls for leaders to prioritise youth participation in all development projects and opportunities as they are the foot soldiers and vanguards of progress.

As we celebrate 61 years of independence, it is our role as patriots to domesticate all government programmes like Emyooga, PDM and skilling the youths to be part of the global world. Otherwise, every generation will be under the threat of World Bank and IMF forever.

Kwame Nkrumah once said: “Backward Never Forward Ever.” Despite the expensive nature of the struggle, we must soldier on to protect the values of our nation. We do not fight for independence and democracy to enjoy it, but to make this nation a better place for our children.

We owe it to them. Our forefathers died fighting for our nation’s freedom not because they anticipated to enjoy it, but they were thinking of us; the future generations. We cannot repay the debt; all we can do is remain peaceful, focused and protect the freedom by fighting for democracy to make our country even better for future generation.

As Frantz Fanon says, “Every generation must out of relative obscurity discover its own destiny either to betray or fulfill it.”

The writer is a Pan Africanist