“Then, we had a few schools, which is not the same as today, when one can find several schools in a single village, especially in urban areas,” he said.
Independence Day: Fr Kibirige Urges Ugandans to Love Country Despite Economic Hardships
As Uganda marked 64 years of independence, Siriri Bampa Mutabaazi, a resident of Mpoma in Nama Sub-county, Mukono District, reflected on the country’s journey since 1962, recalling his childhood, the challenges of accessing education and the political changes he has witnessed over the decades.
Mutabaazi, who was born in 1952, says he was 10 years old when Uganda attained independence on October 9, 1962, and was in Primary One at the time.
Unlike today, when celebrations are widely publicised and transport is relatively accessible, Mutabaazi recalls that opportunities to attend national Independence Day celebrations at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala were limited, particularly for ordinary citizens living far from the capital.
“Unlike now, we started formal education at an advanced age. For people like us who could not afford to attend the national functions at Kololo, arrangements were made for celebrations at sub-counties,” he said.
At the time, Mutabaazi was living in Bushenyi District, his ancestral home. His school, which was founded by a church, was allowed to send only one pupil to represent it at the sub-county celebrations.
Unfortunately, he was not selected.
“We therefore followed the rest of the celebrations from Kololo on Radio Uganda, the sole radio station in the country then,” he recalled.
Transport was another major challenge, with public means of transport scarce and often unreliable. Those who attended celebrations at sub-county headquarters had to walk long distances to participate in the events.
Education Was a Privilege
Mutabaazi says access to education was limited during his childhood, with fewer schools available compared with today.
He nevertheless managed to pursue his education, helped in part by government support that included half bursaries for students attending boarding schools.
“Then, we had a few schools, which is not the same as today, when one can find several schools in a single village, especially in urban areas,” he said.
He noted that the expansion of educational institutions has given more children opportunities to attend school, although access to quality education remains an important concern.
From Obote to Museveni
Beyond education and social services, Mutabaazi has witnessed several political transitions, from the first government of Milton Obote through the regimes of Idi Amin and subsequent administrations to President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986.
Reflecting on the changes, he said Uganda had experienced relative peace and greater opportunities to engage in business and politics during Museveni’s administration.
“We have had freedom in Museveni’s reign. People do business freely and participate in politics in a very democratic way, right from village leadership to the presidency,” he said.
However, Mutabaazi cautioned Ugandans against taking peace for granted, urging them to safeguard the stability the country has experienced.
“I urge Ugandans to keep peace. We should not relax and go back to the past insecurity regimes,” he said.
Independence at 64
Uganda marked its 64th Independence Day on October 9, 2026, commemorating the country’s attainment of independence from British colonial rule in 1962.
This year’s main government celebrations were held at State House in Entebbe, with attendance restricted to invited guests.
For Mutabaazi, the anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on how far the country has come, from the limited educational opportunities and transport challenges of his childhood to the changes in public life he has witnessed over more than six decades.
His recollections provide a personal perspective on Uganda’s independence journey and a reminder of the importance of preserving peace for future generations.
