Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has approved the awarding of 40 national medals during the country’s 62nd Independence Day celebrations, set to take place on October 9, 2024. The event will be held at Busiko Teachers’ Training College in Masafu Town Council, Busia District. Among those honored will be individuals recognized for their service in categories such as the National Independence Medal, Diamond Jubilee, Luweero Triangle, and long service in the police, among others.
The President’s decision to award these medals was announced by Milly Babirye Babalanda, the Minister for the Presidency, during a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on Friday. The medals will be given to distinguished persons, five of whom are women, as outlined under the National Honours and Awards Act 2001. Babalanda noted that the process of selecting these individuals followed strict guidelines, with each honoree meeting the required criteria for their respective awards.
The awards recognize contributions to the nation’s progress in various fields, including service to the public, leadership, and national defense. According to Babalanda, this is part of the country’s continued efforts to appreciate those who have significantly contributed to the country’s development and stability.
The celebrations will also feature a special guest, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, the President of the Central African Republic (CAR), who is expected to arrive in Uganda next week. This will mark his second visit to Uganda this year, having last visited in January for the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement. Touadéra’s presence underscores the strong bilateral relations between Uganda and the Central African Republic.
Uganda gained its independence from Britain on October 9, 1962. The handover of power was conducted by the Duke of Kent, who represented Queen Elizabeth II, the monarch of the United Kingdom at the time. The transfer of authority took place at Kololo Independence Grounds, where thousands of Ugandans gathered to witness the historic lowering of the British Union Jack and the hoisting of Uganda’s national flag. Since then, Independence Day has become a significant annual event, celebrating Uganda’s sovereignty and progress.
The President’s approval of the medals is part of this tradition, recognizing individuals whose contributions have helped shape the country’s path since independence.
