As Uganda celebrates its 63rd Independence Day, the annual national celebration was held at Kololo Independence Grounds on October 9th. The event commemorates the country’s freedom from British colonial rule in 1962, marking the end of colonial domination and the beginning of self-governance.
The day is recognized as a national holiday, observed with military parades, flag-raising ceremonies, presidential speeches, and cultural performances—all aimed at fostering national unity, pride, and a commitment to a self-determined future.
In Kyanvuma Town Council, Luuka District, a group of youth under their umbrella organization, Nakabaale Youth Horticulture Limited, joined the rest of the nation in celebrating the day through a communal cleaning exercise(Bulungi Bwansi). Their activity was a symbol of peace and unity, creating a clean environment that supports their daily activities without interference.
Speaking to various stakeholders, including Namubiru Catherine, President of Kyanvuma Town Council and a market vendor, she expressed appreciation for the cooperative’s efforts:
“We thank the cooperative for engaging in communal work at our market. It is a valuable way of giving back to stakeholders on this important day of independence.”
While participating in the cleaning, members of the cooperative encouraged other youth to join their initiative. They highlighted the benefits of being part of the group, such as:
- Training in modern farming techniques
- Access to savings and loans (for both members and non-members, with collateral)
- Youth empowerment programs
Kagoda Jonathan Fredrick, Chairperson of Nakabaale Youth Horticulture Limited, shared the group’s motivation behind their initiative: “As a union, we chose to celebrate Independence Day by cleaning the town council, sensitizing locals about the importance of hygiene at home — which we believe is the first step in fighting poverty.”
He added: “We’re also raising awareness about Uganda’s independence — that we are a free nation with self-governance, and this freedom enables us to carry out initiatives like vegetable farming, savings, and micro-lending through our cooperative.”
He concluded by encouraging fellow youth: “I applaud the community, especially the youth, to join us in transforming our lives through agriculture and cooperation.”
