STATE HOUSE, Entebbe – Uganda marked its 64th Independence Day on Friday, Oct. 9, with a scaled down national celebration at State House in Entebbe, as the government reduced the size of major national events under a policy of redirecting public funds to other priorities.
President Yoweri Museveni presided over the ceremony, which was broadcast on television and radio for Ugandans across the country. The event was held under the theme “Embracing Our Sovereignty With Hope and Visionary Leadership.”
Uganda gained independence from Britain on Oct. 9, 1962. Unlike previous celebrations held at venues such as Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala, this year’s event was attended by a limited number of invited guests, including senior government officials and religious leaders.
Minister for the Presidency Milly Babalanda announced the arrangements ahead of the celebrations, citing a Cabinet directive issued during its eighth special meeting on March 19, 2026. The directive suspended large national and international celebrations from the 2026-27 financial year, with resources redirected to other government priorities. State House funded the Independence Day ceremony.
One of the main activities was the presentation of national honours and awards to 20 recipients in recognition of their service and contributions to the country.
Museveni received the Order of the Commander-in-Chief, a Uganda Prisons Service Medal. Deputy Chief Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi presented the award on behalf of the Presidential Awards Committee, chaired by Zamina Malole.
The award citation recognised Museveni’s leadership and contributions to peace and security, as well as his guidance in expanding productive activities within the Uganda Prisons Service. These include cotton growing, furniture manufacturing and other initiatives intended to support institutional self reliance.
Nineteen other people were also honoured, including six women. The recipients named in media reports included Commissioner General of Prisons Johnson Byabashaija, Kampala Parents’ School founder Edward Kasole Bwerere Lwanga, Deputy Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. David Isimbwa and Land Forces Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Francis Bagonza.
In his Independence Day address, Museveni reflected on Uganda’s political and economic history, saying 24 of the country’s 64 years of independence, between 1962 and 1986, were marked by conflict, instability and economic decline before the National Resistance Movement government took power.
He said Uganda’s economy had grown from about $3.9 billion in 1986 to $69.3 billion and projected that it would reach nearly $74 billion by June 2027. The figures were presented by the president as evidence of economic growth, with industrialisation, value addition and anticipated oil production among the drivers of future expansion.
Museveni called for faster industrialisation and greater processing of locally produced raw materials, arguing that exporting unprocessed goods limits the income Ugandans can earn from their production.
He also highlighted Operation Wealth Creation and the Parish Development Model, saying the initiatives had helped bring 67% of Ugandans into the money economy. He said the government intended to reach the remaining 33% through agricultural activities, including coffee and fruit growing, dairy farming, piggery, poultry and fish farming.
The president also pointed to transport costs as a constraint on economic growth, estimating that inefficiencies cost Uganda about $1 billion annually. He cited infrastructure projects, including a proposed petroleum pipeline linking Uganda and Kenya and the Standard Gauge Railway, as part of the country’s development priorities.
Vice President Jessica Alupo congratulated Ugandans on the anniversary and reaffirmed the commitment of women leaders to the government’s development agenda.
Babalanda paid tribute to historical figures associated with the struggle against colonial rule, including Omukama Kabalega of Bunyoro and Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda. She said the country’s independence had been achieved through struggle and stressed the need for economic self reliance.
Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka’s predecessor, Dr. Sam Mayanja, also used the occasion to launch his book, The Odyssey in the Uganda Land Cobwebs.
National thanksgiving prayers had been held earlier in the week at places of worship, providing another opportunity for reflection as the country marked the anniversary.
The scaled down celebrations came as Uganda continued to debate how best to direct public resources toward development. The anniversary offered the government an opportunity to highlight its economic record and future plans, while renewing attention to the challenges of industrialisation, employment and wider participation in the economy.
No part of this publication or its digital content may be reproduced, distributed, published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in whole or in part without prior written permission from Kalisho Info.
For inquiries, contact: kalishoinfo@gmail.com
Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow Kalisho Info for real-time updates and breaking news.
