15 sept 2026
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is celebrating his 82nd birthday, has congratulated the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) Manager, Hajjati Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, for recognising the efforts and sacrifices of fallen and surviving warriors who fought to liberate Uganda during the 1980–1985 war.
Forty-five years have passed since the selfless sons and daughters of Africa gave their lives in pursuit of freedom, democracy and a better future for their country.
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Their sacrifice was not made in vain. They fought for a noble cause, believing that even if they did not live to see the fruits of their struggle, those who came after them would ultimately achieve the goals for which they had sacrificed.
It is important for the current generation to understand and internalise this history. Ugandans must remember the men and women who stood for freedom and democracy and recognise the true heroes whose courage and sacrifice made it possible for the country to enjoy the peace and stability it has today.
The true cost of freedom cannot be measured in monetary terms. Its ultimate price was paid in blood. The greatest motivation of those who sacrificed their lives was the conviction that they were dying for a noble cause, coupled with the belief that those who survived and took up their weapons and responsibilities would continue the struggle until victory was achieved.
Their blood, therefore, was not shed in vain.
In conclusion, the peace and stability that Uganda continues to enjoy today were hard-earned through immense sacrifice. The country has come a long way, and as Ugandans look back, they do so with pride, gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility to preserve the gains that were made at such a great cost.
The country must honour its heroes not merely by remembering their names, but by upholding the values for which they sacrificed: freedom, democracy, peace, unity and the dignity of the nation.
Speaking at President Museveni’s birthday celebrations, the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Uganda had made significant progress over the years, noting that there was a time when the country was hardly recognised, even at the United Nations.
She said Uganda’s progress today is a result of the sacrifices made by its people and the leadership that has been provided over the years.
“When you look at the United Nations and the countries that are recognised around the world, you can see how far Uganda has come,” she said.
She noted that even countries such as the United Kingdom, with its Prime Minister and long history, can now look at Uganda and recognise the progress it has made.
The Prime Minister also highlighted significant progress in education.
“In the past, many of our children could not even read or write. Today, the situation is very different. We have expanded access to education, and many more Ugandans can read, write and communicate effectively,” she said.
However, she noted that major challenges remain, particularly because Uganda has a very young population.
“A significant proportion of Ugandans are young people, and that means our social services must keep pace with the needs of this growing population,” she said.
The Prime Minister also pointed to progress in healthcare, saying diseases that once caused enormous suffering and death had been significantly reduced.
“We have made progress in the fight against diseases such as polio, and many other conditions that once affected our people are now much better controlled,” she said.
She attributed these achievements to years of investment, sacrifice and hard work.
“For nearly forty years, we have been working to transform Uganda. We have continued to invest in agriculture, infrastructure, education, healthcare and other sectors,” she said.
Although Uganda has not yet reached the level it aspires to, she said there was clear evidence that the country was moving forward.
“The wealth and potential of this country are here. Our natural resources, our land, our people and our young population give us enormous opportunities,” she said.
She added that Uganda’s goal is to move firmly into middle-income status and ultimately go beyond it.
The Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of remembering those who fought for the country and those who sacrificed their lives and wellbeing.
She said the welfare of veterans remains an important issue and noted that the office responsible for veterans and related matters continues to support them.
Through the Office of the Prime Minister, substantial resources have been committed to veterans. In the past financial year, Shs20 billion was allocated to support them.
However, the Prime Minister acknowledged that many veterans and families of those who fought for the country still require assistance.
“We cannot say that our work is finished. We must continue to examine what more can be done. We must strengthen the institutions responsible for veterans and ensure that those who sacrificed for Uganda are not forgotten,” she said.
She also called for attention to be given to the children of those who fought for the country, saying they should have opportunities to study, work and build better lives.
“The sacrifices of the past must create opportunities for the future,” she said.
The Prime Minister also highlighted Uganda’s growing connectivity, citing roads linking different parts of the country from north to south and east to west.
“We are continuing to invest in major infrastructure, including the development of the Standard Gauge Railway,” she said.
She said these developments form part of Uganda’s broader transformation agenda.
However, she cautioned that infrastructure alone would not be sufficient.
“We need to continue investing in our people. We need to create jobs, strengthen education, improve healthcare and support agriculture and industry,” she said.
She urged Ugandans to celebrate the progress made while remaining honest about the challenges that still need to be addressed.
“Let us recognise the progress, but let us not become complacent. Uganda has come a long way. The question now is: where do we want to go next, and what must each one of us do to get there?” she said.
Hajjati Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye said the purpose of the gathering was not only to celebrate President Museveni’s birthday but, most importantly, to recognise the people who fought for the country.
“As you know, our stomachs are aching because they are yearning for something to whisper inside them. So, we will not waste much time, because we have a clear reason for being here: to celebrate His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and, most importantly, to recognise you—the people who fought,” Namyalo said.
She acknowledged that although it had been assumed that the concerns of the veterans had been addressed and that they had been adequately catered for, several challenges and outstanding issues remained.
“We thought that, by now, all your concerns had been addressed and that you had been adequately catered for. Unfortunately, there are still some hiccups and a few outstanding issues that need to be addressed,” she said.
Namyalo said there was also a need to better understand the concerns of veterans and their comrades, noting that some continued to carry pain despite having physically attended the celebrations.
“Above all, we are not fully aware of what is happening on the other side. We do not know whether some of our comrades and ancestors are still bitter, because the faces you have shown us today tell a story. Yes, you have come here physically, but deep in your hearts, there is still pain,” she said.
She appealed to President Museveni to address the concerns of the veterans, saying he was best placed to understand their situation.
“Therefore, there is one person who is best placed to address this situation, and that person is His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, because he knows you better,” Namyalo said.
She added that the veterans had fought for what they believed was a good cause and a better future for all Ugandans.
“No one else can fight your war for you, because you fought for a good cause—a better cause for the benefit of all of us,” she said.
Namyalo also raised concerns about poverty, saying that despite the progress made, poverty continued to affect communities and land.
“Initially, we may say that we are in the best place, but at the end of the day, poverty is still eating away at our communities and our land. This poverty must be eradicated,” she said.
She expressed confidence that the presence of the Prime Minister and other relevant stakeholders would help provide solutions and guidance on the outstanding issues affecting veterans.
“The Prime Minister and the relevant stakeholders are the implementers. Our role is to monitor what is happening on the ground and present our findings to them so that the necessary action can be taken,” Namyalo said.
