Duke of Kent returns for Golden Jubilee festivities

By Raymond Baguma

Exactly 50 years after he presided over Uganda’s independence in 1962, Prince Edward the Duke of Kent will be a guest at Uganda’s Golden Jubilee celebrations next month.

Uganda attained independence on October 9, 1962 and it was Prince Edward, Queen Elizabeth II’s first cousin, who handed over the instruments of power to the then Prime Minister Milton Obote.

Coincidentally, the Duke of Kent was born on October 9, 1935. It means that he will also mark his 77th birthday on the day of Uganda’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Uganda’s Golden Jubilee celebrations will be held under the theme, “50-year Journey since Independence (1962- 2012): A Good Foundation for Social and Economic Transformation.”

The British High Commissioner to Uganda, Alison Blackburne, confirmed the Duke’s attendance while meeting the foreign affairs state minister Henry Okello Oryem on Wednesday.

The ceremony to take place at the refurbished Kololo ceremonial grounds will be a culmination of preparations that were launched by President Yoweri Museveni on May 6.

The Minister for Presidency, Muruli Mukasa, told journalists on Wednesday that various activities will be held in the run up to the independence celebrations. They include the launch of a logo, theme, website, launching the jubilee song as well as a tree planting drive.