By Bill Dan Arnold Borodi
Every year, Uganda’s independence is celebrated countrywide with national and local events one of which is a memorial symposium to honour Ignatius Kangave Musazi (IK Musazi) , a pivotal figure in Uganda’s independence struggle and a national hero. Uganda Christian university’s School of Journalism , Media and Communication participates in its organisation and media coverage as a community and practical skills engagement.
This years event, organized by the IK Musazi Memorial Foundation at Namakula Point along Entebbe Road, focused on the theme of inclusivity, aiming to bring together youth, women, and vulnerable communities to engage with Musazi’s ideas and actions. Namakula point holds monthly discussions on key national issues by a select membership of university professors, high level public servants and members of the public.
The ceremony featured a keynote speech from the Convenor Professor Lwanga Lunyiigo, who posed thought-provoking questions about Musazi’s legacy, particularly asking, “Why did Musazi concede power?”
This inquiry sparked a lively discussion among attendees of all ages, prompting reflections on the complexities of political leadership during Uganda’s tumultuous history.
One speaker Pascal Kibondwe expressed sympathy for Musazi, suggesting that he was outmaneuvered by Milton Obote, who ultimately gained power crediting Obote for being the sharper politician. This sentiment highlighted the challenges faced by leaders in a rapidly changing political landscape of the Uganda project then.
Former Deputy Chief Justice Steven Kavuma, representing the foundation’s chairperson Ambassador Elizabeth Musazi , emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes rather than lamenting them. “We need to learn from the past instead of lamenting . I don’t believe in lamentations “ , said Kavuma .
He urged attendees to move beyond blaming Musazi for his political concessions and instead focus on learning more especially from the mistakes from the past . “Avoid the circumstances that led to your making the mistakes and move ahead” he advised.
He called on the attendees both young and old to keep educating themselves by reading continuously especially about our History to combat what he termed “secondary ignorance.” “We are faced with secondary Ignorance, we know a lot about what doesn’t matter to us “ , said Kavuma .
The Chief Guest , Ambassador Kintu Nyago added further context that IK Musazi organised Uganda’s first cooperatives, advocating for native farmers to process and market their crops namely, coffee and cotton. It is through his Federation of African Farmers of Uganda he carried out a countrywide mobilisation of cotton and coffee growers. It is these members that he turned into the Uganda National Congress in 1952 which marked a significant step toward mobilizing Ugandans against colonial rule.
Despite facing numerous challenges and ultimately conceding power, his contributions laid the groundwork for future generations.
As discussions at the memorial highlighted, understanding and learning from Musazi’s experiences can provide valuable insights into contemporary issues facing Uganda today.
The event served as a reminder that reflecting on history is crucial for fostering unity and progress in society.
