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How Uganda's 56th independence fete unfolded

Oct 09, 2018

Relive what transpired as Uganda celebrated its 56th independence anniversary

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  UGANDA'S 56TH INDEPENDENCE DAY ANNIVERSARY



Presented by Joseph Kizza

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 @joekizza

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   5:30pm    Bye-bye!


Let's say, it's a wrap.

As I close this page, allow me to leave you with this collection of shots from today's event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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5:22pm    Wrapping up

Everything that has a beginning sure has an end.

Shortly, the curtains will be drawn on this important national function that has been successfully hosted by Kyotera district at Kasasa subcounty headquarters grounds.

It is time for the Uganda anthem.

 

 

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5:10pm    Performances

The medal-awarding ceremony is done and dusted. Next up, performances by selected groups.

We are in the evening of today's independence day event. Should be wrapping up soon.

 

 

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4:43pm    Who gets a medal today?

Here are the people awarded medals:

 

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 4:38pm    Medal awarding ceremony


It is time for the medals.

Here, there are four caterogies of medals: Golden Jubilee Medal, Nalubaale Medal (for civilians), Rwenzori Star medal and Masaba Star Medal.

Gen. Ivan Koreta is the man behind the microphone, and does a good job of briefly explaining what each medal means.

 

 

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4:26pm    'Lack of awareness'

President Museveni says that part of the problem in agriculture is the lack of awareness among Ugandans that they need to work for money -- and not just for their tummies.

In the area, the President wanted to establish how many households are practising commercial farming. Different local leaders gave different figures on this, but the President decides to go for the positive statistic -- 50% -- for now.

He, however, promises to return to establish the true figure.


 

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4:18pm    'HIV/AIDS greatly affected our area'

One of the speakers invited to the front by the President says Kyotera was greatly affected by the HIV/AIDS scourge and that many residents have struggled to move on.

She says, as local leaders, they have tried to empower the women and elderly people so as to earn a living. The elderly want to be added to the Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) programme for their efforts in tackling the HIV/AIDS problem in the area.

The fishermen also need to be supported.

By the way, for those who may not know, Kyotera was carved out of Rakai district, which itself was carved out of Masaka district.

 

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4:10pm    'Small-scale commercial agriculture'

President Yoweri Museveni, as so often in the past, makes a push for commercial agriculture.

He says people should engage in small-scale commercial agriculture as well as for consumption.

 

 

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'Problem is mindset'

 

 

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'Grateful to our Chinese partners'

 

 

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3:48pm    'Leaders should wake up'

Museveni says he anticipates that the Ugandan economy will grow by 7% this time round, having grown by 6.1% last financial year. He says the people who want Uganda to remain stagnant are "worried".

In the 2017/18 financial year, industry accounted for 6.2%, services 7.3% and ICT 7.9%.

 

"The only one which grew slower for no good reason is agriculture -- at 3.2%. This is higher than it had grown in the past, but muCH slower than the other sectors," he says.

"I call on leaders to really wake up on agriculture. On the government side, we have a lot of programmes to help with agriculture."

One of these is irrigation, which will "enhance our efforts in agriculture".

"Also, we have finally built a fertilizer factory in Tororo."

 

 

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 3:40pm    'Terrorists saw a weak point'

Museveni says that earlier in the day, he had launched "a portion" (CCTV camera) of a 10-point security programme intended to combat urban crime after criminals penetrated the urban areas to commit crime having seen it a "weak point". This, according to the President was after rural crime had been tackled.

 

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3:38pm    PRESIDENT MUSEVENI DELIVERS SPEECH

When Mbayo is done with her remarks, she invites the President to address the nation.

In his introduction, Museveni starts off by apologising for coming late, saying he was doing "some good work".

 

 

 

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3:30pm    Issues Kyotera district wants addressed

Mbayo says the district administrators asked her to present a list of salient issues that the district wants to address. One of them is presidential pledges.

Another is construction of houses of eartquake victims.

Upgrading the Kasensero Health Centre II to health centre III status is also part of the list.

They also raised concerns about illegal fishing and the need to construct more classrooms and toilets.

 

 

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3:30pm    Several ministers, MPs present

Esther Mbulakubuza Mbayo, the Minister of the Presidency, takes to the podium, and in her introductory remarks, she thanks everyone for "turning up in big numbers".

She goes on to recognise the presence of members of the Central Executive Committee, ministers and Members of Parliament, LC chairpersons and the women's council committee.

 

 

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Positive things

 

 

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2:26pm    March past

The men and women in uniform are doing their thing at Kasasa subcounty headquarters grounds in Kyotera district.

 

 

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Celebrating Uganda in every way possible

 

 

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2:16pm    March past

It is time for the march past, led by the Uganda People's Defense Force (UPDF), Police and Prisons.

Here, we are having both the quick and slow marches. It is all well synchronised. Discipline on show here.

 

 

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2:12pm    Watch the event live

Bukedde TV is streaming the event live.

 

 

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2:05pm    Prayer time

Bishop John Baptist Kaggwa of Masaka Diocese leads the prayers alongside Sheikh Swaibu Kaweesi, who is representing the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Mubajje.

"We thank you for placing us in this beautiful corner of Africa," prays Kaggwa.

"We ask you Lord to instill in all Ugandans the love for their country.

"Bless us all and protect us from harm."


 

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2:00pm    Anthems

The presidential inspection of the guard of honour is done.

The Uganda anthem is played again, before the President takes his seat again.

 

 

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1:50pm    President inspects guard of honour

 

 

 

And here comes that time.

President Museveni eases off his seat and is led to his vehicle to inspect the guard of honour.



The theme of today's celebrations is: 'Standing Tall As we celebrate the achievements of our 56 years of independence'.

The emcee, Alice Muwanguzi, the resident district commissioner of Luwero, says the theme is a bold one.

In the background, she reminds guests of what Museveni said in his inaugural speech as President on January 29, 1986, which "triggered off development in this nation".

"What you see today is not a mere change of guard, but a fundamental change," she quotes him as having said.

 

 

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1:34pm    And we are underway

It's a windy early afternoon at the Kasasa grounds as the ceremony kicks off. The Pleasant Police band tunes are feeding into the ears of the guests.

Top security officials, politicians from across the divide, religious leaders, dignitaries and ordinary citizens are in attendance.

 

 

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1:28pm    PRESIDENT YOWERI MUSEVENI ARRIVES

President Yoweri Museveni, the chief guest at the independence annivesary, has arrived.

He is wearing a white shirt -- but no hat today.

After disembarking from his car, Museveni is led to a raised platform, where he stands at attention before the playing of the anthems starts.

 

 

 

 

12:43pm    'Hear us out'

Meanwhile, a group of youths from Masaka Municipality have made an outcry to Government on the day Uganda marks 56 years since gaining independence.

Addressing a press conference at the office of UTC Masaka, they appealed to the Government to look into the issues of youth unemployment and what they call high hospital fees at Mulago Hospital.

 

 

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12:30pm    SPEAKER, PRIME MINISTER ARRIVE

The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga and the Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda have arrived at Kasasa grounds on a warm Tuesday.

The public address system is alive, with announcements and music broadcast to the large gathering.

 

 

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12:15pm    Performances

At Kasasa grounds, guests are being treated to a cocktail of stage performances.

The event will officially get underway once the President has arrived -- which should be soon.

 

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    Museveni commissions CCTV cameras


11:13am

Meanwhile, away from what is going on in Kyotera, President Yoweri Museveni has commissioned the CCTV cameras at the National Command and Control Centre at Nateete Police Station.

"Cowards die many times before they are dead," he said of criminal actors.

Museveni has previously underlined the need for such surveillance as one of several measures to combat urban crime.


At the commissioning of the CCTV cameras was security minister Gen. Elly Tumwine, CIID director Grace Akullo, Police bosses, among others.

Museveni is expected to head to Kyotera to preside over the Independence Day anniversary celebrations.

 

 

 

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'God bless you all'

 

 

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The Pearl of Africa!

 

 

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Being a part of every Independence Day of Uganda

 

 

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10:41am    Cleaning up

The Independence Day anniversary is underway in Kyotera.

But in buildup, you may want to know that there was a series a preparations to make it happen. There was voluntary communal work, locally known as ‘bulungi bwansi'. Pamela Watuwa, the outgoing Kyotera resident district commissioner, led different schools and residents in the cleaning exercise that began on Wednesday.

They swept streets, cleaned trenches, slashed, collected and burnt garbage. According to Watuwa, the exercise portrayed a spirit of patriotism.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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10:35am    Vibrant performances

The colours are rich: the symbolic red, yellow and black.

 

 

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10:30am    It's a full house already

Several people have converged at Kasasa grounds to be a part of today's independence anniversary function.

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10:25am    What you didn't know about Kyotera

Sserulanda Foundation:

The spiritual movement was founded by Joseph Mugonza, also known as Bambi Baaba Babuwe on December 25, 1975.

He is said to have started his ministry at 12 years. He passed on in July 2017 at the age of 80. He succumbed to a strange illness he battled for several months. The spiritual sanctuary is located in Kachanga village, Kabira subcounty.

The movement is internationally recognised with followers from Uganda, Rwanda, China, America and Kenya, among others. Followers are initiated in spiritual practices to purportedly attain selfrealisation and God-realisation in their lifetime.

 

 

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10:20am    What you didn't know about Kyotera

HIV prevalence rate:

Dr. George William Waggumbulizi, the district health officer, says the prevalence in Kyotera currently stands at 12% down from 13% in 2017. This is due to government and NGO interventions with better health initiatives in a bid to fight the virus.

Among the new interventions is the partner notification, whereby a man or woman who is tested, is encouraged to persuade the people he or she had sex with in the period of three months to get tested as well.

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In addition, he says, the test-and- treat strategy and counselling encouraged behavioural change among the residents, particularly the youths.

 

 

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10:12am    What you didn't know about Kyotera

Musambwa island:

Musambwa Island This is one of the most valued heritage sites in the district. It is found in L. Victoria in Kabira subcounty. The island is considered the only breeding place for grey-headed gulls worldwide.

It also cherishes its fervent conservation of nonpoisonous snakes, pythons and egrets.

 

An exceptional fish catch has also made it paramount, since it attracts fishermen from the surrounding landing sites of Ddimo, Malembo, Kasensero and Sango Bay.

By the way, sex and women are highly restricted on the island due to a superstition that a female spirit that keeps the island will get jealous.

 

 

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10:05am    What you didn't know about Kyotera

First HIV/AIDS victim:

Golodiyani Kivumbi, a resident of Kanya-Maganga village in Kyebe sub-county, is considered to be the first HIV/AIDS victim in Uganda in early 1980s. According to his son, Golodian Kiganda, 47, the family has been neglected, stigmatised and abused since then.

He says their home became the first-stop centre for reference by the Government and district officials, journalists and various civil society organisations, especially at official functions.

Kiganda says he is often invited to HIV/AIDSrelated functions in the district and used to promote different anti-HIV programmes on empty promises.

 

 

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10:00am    All set for the celebrations

Kyotera is set to host today's iconic event.

On the eve of the D-day, organisers were setting the stage under some generous weather.

Meanwhile, President Yoweri Museveni is expected to arrive at Kasasa right aorund midday.

 

 

 

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9:30am    President Museveni expected in Kyotera, but first . . .

He will make a stop-over at the National Command and Control Centre at Nateete Police Station.

There, the President will launch a surveillence system following the installation of 122 live CCTV cameras to monitor Lungujja, Old Kampala, Rubaga, Kawaala, Kabowa, Nateete, Mutundwe and surroundings. The move is one of the measures in place to fight urban crime.

 

 

 

 

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Vision Group's wish to you

 

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9:17am    Kyotera at a glance

The July 2017 Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) report estimated that Kyotera has a population of about 290,800 people. The growing town does not have that many storeyed buildings but mainly shops, residential houses, hotels, small pubs and restaurants.

Virtually, all roads in the town are tarmacked. The streets are home to businesses such as food vending, retail and wholesale shops plus electronics and solar shops, stationery shops, internet cafes, hardware shops, photo studios, woodwork stations and schools. Others are banks and micro-finance institutions, several fuel stations, clinics, pharmacies and dispensaries, mobile phone and mobile money shops and kiosks, pork joints, maize and coffee mills as major businesses.

All these are major revenue sources in the district. Notable hotels include Serona, Nabisere and Motel Highway, which are most popular hangouts in the town. Others are Milano, Friends Pub, Apex, Lala resort, Mike's Pub, K'afe Pub. They play all music genres and organise comedy nights. Therefore, any time there are debates about where to go for nightlife in Kyotera, these places take fi rst priority, attracting people from Kalisizo, Rakai, Kyotera and Masaka.

 

 

 

 

9:06am    Kyotera's dark reputation

Other major events were the official opening of Kasolo Foundation by President Yoweri Museveni in July and the World Rabies Day on September 28.

However, like its mother district Rakai, people easily identify Kyotera with HIV/AIDS, cannibalism, smuggling, prostitution, gruesome murders and related evils. But on the other hand, there are excellent things that make the district unique and a great destination.

Kyotera has been going through a process of rejuvenation in the recent years, even before it attained district status.

 

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9:02 am    A look at Kyotera - this year's host

Kyotera became operational on July 1, 2017.

But one year later, the district is set to host the 56th independence anniversary celebrations at Lukoma playground, Kasasa sub-county, in Kakuuto county.

This will be the fourth big national event after Tanzania President John Pombe Magufuli's visit for the official opening of the customs offices at Mutukula border post and to the East African Oil Pipeline Project in November last year.

 

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'Blessings, life and success'

 

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Here is one patriotic Ugandan . . .

 

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     Nuwagaba to get Golden Jubilee medal

Among the eleven people expected to get a Golden Jubilee medal is Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba, a lecturer at Makerere University.

 

Others include Nimisha Jayant Madhvani, Uganda's ambassador to United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Prof. Sam Tulyamuhika, Uganda's ambassador to Somalia.

 

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   Medals for 86

Today, as many as 86 Ugandans will be awarded national medals to recognise their distinguished service.

Eleven personalities will be awarded the Golden Jubilee medals for their contribution to the liberation struggles in Uganda and on the African continent.

 

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8:30am    Good morning

Hello and welcome everyone from wherever you are. It's the 9th day of October, and if you are Ugandan, you know what this means: Independence Day.

 


For some of you, it could also mean that it's your birthday. Well and good.

Independent Uganda has turned 56 today, with the main celebrations taking us a little out of the capital -- to Kyotera district in the southern part of Central Region.

 

 

 

 

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