Heroes Day: over 200 to get medals

Jun 09, 2014

Over 200 Ugandans will today receive medals from Government in recognition of their contribution to the liberation struggle in the country.

By David Lumu and Taddeo Bwambale

Over 200 Ugandans will today receive medals from Government in recognition of their contribution to the liberation struggle in the country.

Speaking to New Vision on Sunday, General Elly Tumwine, the National Chairperson of the Heroes Award Committee said that although he could not give a particular figure, he estimates that over 200 Ugandans would be recognized today.

Tumwine said that the reason he is giving estimates is because the new names are being added to the list that would be read today before President Yoweri Museveni in Mityana.

“The Heroes’ day is remembered to encourage everyone and also to recognize those who have acted as heroes in the past. Heroism is not limited to just a few people. Every person has the capacity to become a hero,” he said.

Tumwine said that many heroes are not yet recognized and that his committee is grappling with a big backlog. He advised Uganda to have faith in his process.

The Uganda Media Centre executive director and Government spokesperson, Ofwono Opondo said that Museveni will today pay tribute to hundreds of people were killed by the Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA) soldiers in Mityana district. 

The President will also lay a wreath at a mass grave for victims of the massacre at Kikandwa Subcounty headquarters.

This year’s National Heroes Day celebrations will take place at Bukambuli Catholic Parish grounds under the theme; “Celebrating the Lives of Our National Heroes through Dedicated Service to Our Nation.”

Ofwono said that celebrating Heroes was a manifestation of patriotism, love, respect and appreciation of the country’s history and actors.

“Giving dedicated service to our nation can be manifested in several ways, one of which is our determination and ability to uphold and defend our nation’s common good,” he said.


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