The Crane has sustained us for 47 years

EDITOR—Maj. Gen. Benon Biraro has called for a change of the national symbol from the Crested Crane to a bee. I wish to comment on the article entitled “The lazy crane versus the busy bee” published on October 10.

EDITOR—Maj. Gen. Benon Biraro has called for a change of the national symbol from the Crested Crane to a bee. I wish to comment on the article entitled “The lazy crane versus the busy bee” published on October 10.

I think we should analyse these creatures critically before rushing to make a headline like that. Any artwork such as an emblem, painting, textile design, sculpture or logo has many critics and if we go by all this criticism, we might end up changing and losing all we meant to portray.

For example, the independence monument in Kampala has been criticised by Dicken Nsubuga, the author of the Winning Choice. He says the statue is too difficult to understand by an ordinary person and that the message is disturbing and takes away any feelings of political independence. Should we change it because of its complexity?

Let us respect the Crested Crane for having served us for 47 years as a national emblem. The Crane is friendly, gentle and beautiful. It is also graceful and most of all peace-loving which is a true character of Ugandans. With all these characteristics, one can achieve all in life due to intelligence and brain power rather than the physical labour exhibited by the busy bee.

Granted, the bee is always busy and productive but it is too aggressive. Let us maintain and conserve our national and cultural values including the emblem as we work towards achieving something powerful to include the busy bee as an indicator.

Patric Olara
Gulu