As various knowledgeable local and central government officials disclosed, this marks the first time Busia district is hosting a national event of this scale. This year’s theme is, ‘Independence day: A recommitment to secure and fortify our destiny’.
President Yoweri Museveni, who will be the chief guest, will give out 40 national award medals to distinguished Ugandans (five female, 35 male).
Thirty of the awardees will receive the National Independence Diamond Jubilee Medal, three will take the Luweero Triangle Medal, one will get the Masaba Medal, four will get the Police Long Service Gold Medal, one will be awarded the Police Personal Sacrifice Medal and one person will get the Police Meritorious Medal.
In preparation of the celebrations, the Office of the President signed a memorandum of understanding with Bazungu e.V, a German non-governmental organisation, to offer eye care services to the communities around the celebrations venue, at Masafu general hospital from September 23 to 27, 2024.
Some 1,005 people received medical attention; 300 of them diagnosed with mature cataracts and 105 presenting with other eye defects, while 700 eye glasses were distributed. Those deserving surgeries will be attended to at Bukedea Eye Medical Clinic this month of October.
An official statement from the office of the minister for the Presidency, signed by minister Milly Babirye Babalanda and dated October 4, confirmed that a special delegation from the United Arab Emirates led by their minister of state for Foreign Affairs, and the president of the Central African Republic, Faustin- Archange Touadera would attend the celebrations.
It added that there would be several other special delegations. Babalanda noted that though there has been total peace in the country since 2006, post-independence Uganda was characterized with political instability and military coups. Hence up to 1986, Uganda changed eight presidents, all through military coups.
NRM’S ACHIEVEMENTS
Babalanda listed a few achievements of the NRM government that came to power in 1986 and has sustained almost 40 years of stability and continuity in peace and security.
She noted that NRM initiated socio-economic policies designed to combat the key challenges including the insecurity of person and property, extra-judicial killings and rampant shortages of essential commodities and services.
This initial step resulted in tremendous and steady progress in all sectors of the economy. The size of the economy has grown almost tenfold since 1986, and the GDP per capita has quadrupled. Ugandans today live healthier and longer lives, and they are better educated.
Children no longer die of preventable diseases, and they attend free universal school education. There are no more power shortages; instead, Uganda exports surplus power to neighbourig countries. Infrastructure has also improved tremendously.
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