Our heroes!
Jun 08, 2005
For years, Uganda has commemorated several of its heroes. This year’s Hero’s Day will be celebrated at Masulita in Wakiso District. The theme is “Heroes and National Development.â€
By Joshua Kato
For years, Uganda has commemorated several of its heroes. This year’s Hero’s Day will be celebrated at Masulita in Wakiso District. The theme is “Heroes and National Development.â€
Traditionally, Ugandans perceived a hero as somebody who has risked his or her life to fight for the good of other people, through military or political confrontation. This is why most of the people who have been named heroes had been involved in various wars.
However, heroism is not only shown at the battle front. “A hero can be a doctor, teacher, farmer or a lawyer, if he or she has done something that benefits other people,†says Lt. Col. Proscovia Nalweyiso.
The New Vision talked to several Ugandans and asked them who their heroes were in social, political and other spheres of life. Below are the results.
Politics
Ignatius Musaazi, the man who started political party politics is rated as one of the leading heroes in this field. He started the modern day opposition to colonialism. “Musaazi is the father of modern Ugandan opposition politics. He led the opposition on the way to independence and this is why I nominate him as my hero,†says a respondent.
Omukama Kabalega of Bunyoro, Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda, Kabaka Muteesa II, Milton Obote and President Yoweri Museveni and Benedicto Kiwanuka, the first Prime Minister of Uganda, were all mentioned.
Sports
John Akibua, the winner of Uganda’s only gold medal in the Olympics leads in this slot. He achieved this feat 33 years ago. “He is my only sports hero because what he did has never been done by any other Ugandan,†says one of the respondents. Also mentioned is the Uganda Cranes team that reached the finals of the African Cup of Nations in 1978.
Music
Several people are mentioned here. However, the late Elly Wamala leads the way. He sang for many years and was an inspiration to many people. “I first heard his song Akana Ka Kawalya over 25 years ago. He actually inspired me to join music,†says a local artiste. Others mentioned include Jimmy Katumba and the late Philly Bongole Lutaaya.
“I grew up listening to Jimmy Katumba and the Ebonies. I am now 40 years and I still enjoy listening to those songs,†said a respondent.
Health.
Surprisingly, Philly Lutaaya appears here again. He was one of the first people in the world to publicly announce he had HIV/AIDs in 1988. His announcement comforted so many people who were at the time suffering quietly. “I don’t know what might have happened if he had not come out boldly and announced his status. May be Uganda would not be the much-lauded beacon of hope in the fight against HIV/AIDs,†said a respondent. Others mentioned are Dr. Matthew Lukwiya, who gave up his life to help Ebola victims in northern Uganda.
Army
It is hard to select a person who is above the rest, mainly because Uganda has had different armies.
However, General Yoweri Museveni wins, especially for having fought against a dictatorial government and won.
“He was the first guerrilla leader in Africa to fight a civil war without any significant foreign support and won in only five years,†said one of the respondents.
Maj. Gen. Oyite Ojok is also mentioned, especially for his role in the overthrow of Idi Amin. In the current army, officers look at Lt. General Salim Saleh as their inspiration, mainly because of his selflessness during the bush war. Somebody mentioned the legendary Kibuuka Omumbale, who used to fight for Buganda. Kabalega was also mentioned.
Drama
Wcyliffe Kiyingi, one of the most accomplished play writers of all time, is mentioned. His plays like Wokulira and Lozio Ba Ssesiriya were an inspiration to many budding playwrights. Also mentioned is Alex Mukulu.
“The literature in Mukulu’s plays is simply good. None of them is a one-wonder play.
The entire package is amazing,†said a respondent.
Byron Kawaddwa, who was murdered by Idi Amin after staging his drama Oluyimba Lwawankoko, which scorned Amin for abusing the rights of Ugandans, is also mentioned.
Literature
Okot P-Bitek is mentioned as a hero. One of his most famous works, Song of Lawino, was a best seller: “I have read the book more than 100 times. It is the only book I still enjoy reading among all those that we had on our O’ Level literature syllabus more than 20 years ago,†one of the interviewees said. Two Luganda writers, the late Nsimbi and Kawere are also mentioned. Kawere’s Luganda books Nketta Mu Bizinga, Zinunula Omunaku and Omuzimu Gwa Kazooba are still some of the best ever written Luganda works.
Economy
Most of the people from downtown Kampala mentioned Idi Amin. They said that by chasing away Asians and other foreigners, he gave Ugandans an opportunity to engage in business. “Amin opened our eyes to business. Had he not chased away the Asians, I don’t think I would be here owning this shop,†said a respondent on Luwum Street. Others mentioned were from the current crop of businessmen: Gordon Wavamunno, James Mulwana, Sudhir Ruparelia and Mukwano.
Religion
Archbishop Jonam Luwum, murdered during Idi Amin’s regime in 1977, is a hero because he stood up against the government’s excesses. Also mentioned was Dunstan Nsubuga for standing up against Obote’s second regime. Others mentioned were the Uganda martyrs and Bishop Apollo Kivebuulaya, who was the first black cleric to head Uganda and Boga Zaire. Muteesa I is mentioned for having invited missionaries into the country.
“By inviting the missionaries to Uganda, Mutesa I opened the gateway to modern religion,†said a respondent.
Agriculture
Peter Esele, the member of parliament for Bukedea in Kumi, was mentioned for discovering the now-famous Epuripur Sorghum. He discovered the sorghum while still Director of Serere research station. State Minister for Agriculture Kibirige Ssebunya is mentioned for helping discover Clonal Coffee: “It is difficult to talk about coffee and not mention Clonal coffee. That is why Kibirige is my hero,†said a respondent. Vice-President Gilbert Bukenya is mentioned for promoting the growing of upland rice.
Education
President Yoweri Museveni is mentioned for his Universal Primary Education (UPE). People claimed it has given chance to children who could not fees, to study. Others mentioned include Sarah Ntiro the first female university graduate. Father Grimes, the former head of Namasagali College is also mentioned.
Ends
For years, Uganda has commemorated several of its heroes. This year’s Hero’s Day will be celebrated at Masulita in Wakiso District. The theme is “Heroes and National Development.â€
Traditionally, Ugandans perceived a hero as somebody who has risked his or her life to fight for the good of other people, through military or political confrontation. This is why most of the people who have been named heroes had been involved in various wars.
However, heroism is not only shown at the battle front. “A hero can be a doctor, teacher, farmer or a lawyer, if he or she has done something that benefits other people,†says Lt. Col. Proscovia Nalweyiso.
The New Vision talked to several Ugandans and asked them who their heroes were in social, political and other spheres of life. Below are the results.
Politics
Ignatius Musaazi, the man who started political party politics is rated as one of the leading heroes in this field. He started the modern day opposition to colonialism. “Musaazi is the father of modern Ugandan opposition politics. He led the opposition on the way to independence and this is why I nominate him as my hero,†says a respondent.
Omukama Kabalega of Bunyoro, Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda, Kabaka Muteesa II, Milton Obote and President Yoweri Museveni and Benedicto Kiwanuka, the first Prime Minister of Uganda, were all mentioned.
Sports
John Akibua, the winner of Uganda’s only gold medal in the Olympics leads in this slot. He achieved this feat 33 years ago. “He is my only sports hero because what he did has never been done by any other Ugandan,†says one of the respondents. Also mentioned is the Uganda Cranes team that reached the finals of the African Cup of Nations in 1978.
Music
Several people are mentioned here. However, the late Elly Wamala leads the way. He sang for many years and was an inspiration to many people. “I first heard his song Akana Ka Kawalya over 25 years ago. He actually inspired me to join music,†says a local artiste. Others mentioned include Jimmy Katumba and the late Philly Bongole Lutaaya.
“I grew up listening to Jimmy Katumba and the Ebonies. I am now 40 years and I still enjoy listening to those songs,†said a respondent.
Health.
Surprisingly, Philly Lutaaya appears here again. He was one of the first people in the world to publicly announce he had HIV/AIDs in 1988. His announcement comforted so many people who were at the time suffering quietly. “I don’t know what might have happened if he had not come out boldly and announced his status. May be Uganda would not be the much-lauded beacon of hope in the fight against HIV/AIDs,†said a respondent. Others mentioned are Dr. Matthew Lukwiya, who gave up his life to help Ebola victims in northern Uganda.
Army
It is hard to select a person who is above the rest, mainly because Uganda has had different armies.
However, General Yoweri Museveni wins, especially for having fought against a dictatorial government and won.
“He was the first guerrilla leader in Africa to fight a civil war without any significant foreign support and won in only five years,†said one of the respondents.
Maj. Gen. Oyite Ojok is also mentioned, especially for his role in the overthrow of Idi Amin. In the current army, officers look at Lt. General Salim Saleh as their inspiration, mainly because of his selflessness during the bush war. Somebody mentioned the legendary Kibuuka Omumbale, who used to fight for Buganda. Kabalega was also mentioned.
Drama
Wcyliffe Kiyingi, one of the most accomplished play writers of all time, is mentioned. His plays like Wokulira and Lozio Ba Ssesiriya were an inspiration to many budding playwrights. Also mentioned is Alex Mukulu.
“The literature in Mukulu’s plays is simply good. None of them is a one-wonder play.
The entire package is amazing,†said a respondent.
Byron Kawaddwa, who was murdered by Idi Amin after staging his drama Oluyimba Lwawankoko, which scorned Amin for abusing the rights of Ugandans, is also mentioned.
Literature
Okot P-Bitek is mentioned as a hero. One of his most famous works, Song of Lawino, was a best seller: “I have read the book more than 100 times. It is the only book I still enjoy reading among all those that we had on our O’ Level literature syllabus more than 20 years ago,†one of the interviewees said. Two Luganda writers, the late Nsimbi and Kawere are also mentioned. Kawere’s Luganda books Nketta Mu Bizinga, Zinunula Omunaku and Omuzimu Gwa Kazooba are still some of the best ever written Luganda works.
Economy
Most of the people from downtown Kampala mentioned Idi Amin. They said that by chasing away Asians and other foreigners, he gave Ugandans an opportunity to engage in business. “Amin opened our eyes to business. Had he not chased away the Asians, I don’t think I would be here owning this shop,†said a respondent on Luwum Street. Others mentioned were from the current crop of businessmen: Gordon Wavamunno, James Mulwana, Sudhir Ruparelia and Mukwano.
Religion
Archbishop Jonam Luwum, murdered during Idi Amin’s regime in 1977, is a hero because he stood up against the government’s excesses. Also mentioned was Dunstan Nsubuga for standing up against Obote’s second regime. Others mentioned were the Uganda martyrs and Bishop Apollo Kivebuulaya, who was the first black cleric to head Uganda and Boga Zaire. Muteesa I is mentioned for having invited missionaries into the country.
“By inviting the missionaries to Uganda, Mutesa I opened the gateway to modern religion,†said a respondent.
Agriculture
Peter Esele, the member of parliament for Bukedea in Kumi, was mentioned for discovering the now-famous Epuripur Sorghum. He discovered the sorghum while still Director of Serere research station. State Minister for Agriculture Kibirige Ssebunya is mentioned for helping discover Clonal Coffee: “It is difficult to talk about coffee and not mention Clonal coffee. That is why Kibirige is my hero,†said a respondent. Vice-President Gilbert Bukenya is mentioned for promoting the growing of upland rice.
Education
President Yoweri Museveni is mentioned for his Universal Primary Education (UPE). People claimed it has given chance to children who could not fees, to study. Others mentioned include Sarah Ntiro the first female university graduate. Father Grimes, the former head of Namasagali College is also mentioned.
Ends