By Frank Kamuntu
Today, 9th October 2023 Uganda is celebrating its 61st independence anniversary having earned sovereignty in 1962 after seventy years under British control.
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Several leaders across the world have sent in their independence messages to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni among them including Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko who inked;
“Your country has authority and plays a significant role in Africa, which is confirmed by its election as the chair of the Non-Aligned Movement,” the head of state said. “Belarus highly appreciates good diplomatic relations with Uganda based on friendship and trust, which the two countries have maintained for 25 years already. We share the same view on the pressing issues on the international agenda, including the need to build a more balanced and fairer multipolar world,” he said.
“We are ready to expand cooperation. We praise intensifying contacts and hope for their further increase. We welcome the participation of business circles in the bilateral dialogue. Furthermore, we see prospects for joint work in such areas as agriculture, food security, industry, information technologies, healthcare, energy, and education,” the Belarusian president emphasized.
Aleksandr Lukashenko wished the president of the Republic of Uganda good health and success, and also well-being and prosperity to the country’s people.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE has also sent congratulations to Museveni.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, also sent similar messages to President Museven and Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja.
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a congratulatory message to Museveni saying;
”I extend my congratulation to you and to the government and people of your country on the occasion of the 61 st anniversary of independence of Uganda.
I express my conviction that the friendly and cooperative relations between our two countries will continue to expand and develop in future, too.”
What Happens On This Day
On this day, the country’s national flag flies high. Uganda’s national flag has six stripes of yellow, black and red, and a crested crane at the center.
The black on the flag stands for country, yellow represents sunshine, while the red symbolizes brotherhood.
Uganda’s History
The country came under the British rule in the year 1888. After World War II, the Native Ugandans were allowed to serve in government and later by 1955, half of the legislative council’s members were Ugandans.
The Ugandan Constitutional Conference which took place in London in September 1961 was organized to pave the way for the Independence of the country. Later on 9 October, with the conclusion of the summit, Uganda formally attained its independence.
