By Jamillah Kemigisa
Amid vibrant cultural displays and impassioned speeches, Kasese District marked its 50th anniversary yesterday with a celebration that was as reflective as it was festive. Held at Nyakasanga Playground under the theme “Reflecting on the Past, Forging the Future,” the golden jubilee brought together thousands — from government officials and cultural icons to opposition leaders and local residents — all united by a shared pride in Kasese’s heritage and a growing impatience with unfulfilled promises.
Though the event overflowed with music, dance, and traditional pageantry, a deeper narrative ran through the day: a community still wrestling with underdevelopment, political exclusion, and the painful echoes of conflict.
“Kasese is a land of giants — not because of height, but because of the unmatched courage of its people,” said District Chairperson Eliphaz Muhindi. “Yet, 50 years on, we are still pleading for basic necessities: functioning roads, reliable schools, and hospitals that save lives.”
Kasese’s natural endowments — from the majestic Rwenzori Mountains to Queen Elizabeth National Park and mineral-rich Lake Katwe — remain untapped engines of prosperity. Despite its vast contribution to Uganda’s tourism and mining sectors, the district lags behind in essential infrastructure and economic opportunities.
“We are tired of being told that change is coming,” said Grace Biira, a 28-year-old teacher from Maliba. “We want jobs, we want tarmacked roads, and we want leaders who don’t politicize our suffering.”
The wounds of the 2016 military raid on the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu palace still haunt the region. Over 100 lives were lost, and the kingdom’s leader, Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere, continues to face unresolved legal battles.
“Let the truth be told,” declared community elder Yonasani Kibaya. “Without peace and justice, there can be no real development. The silence around the Rwenzururu tragedy is deafening.”
Speaking on behalf of the central government, Minister for Local Government Raphael Magyezi acknowledged the district’s longstanding grievances and promised renewed efforts to address them.
“The government recognizes Kasese’s unique role in Uganda’s past and its potential in the future,” he said. “We are committed to boosting infrastructure, education, electricity, and tourism to unlock Kasese’s full economic potential.”
Yet, skepticism lingered among the crowd.
“We’ve heard it all before — every election season,” said Samuel Kule, a boda boda rider. “This time, we need action, not more speeches.”
As the sun set behind the snowcapped peaks of the Rwenzoris, the message from Kasese rang loud and clear: a proud people are done waiting. They seek justice, dignity, and a future as vast and elevated as the mountains they call home.
It keeps the child’s mind sound and strong
Music dance and drama is the best