By Spy Uganda
Officiating at the 61st National Independence Day Celebrations held in Kitgum District on Monday, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni said the main theme of his speech was derived from the Book of Common Prayer of 1662 of the Church of Uganda which says “They left undone what they ought to have done and they did that they ought not to have done and there is no truth in them”. He said the Scripture describes well the many situations in the world and especially in Africa.
The ceremony ran under the theme: “Sustaining a United and Progressive Nation: Taking Charge of Our Future as a Free Nation”.
“Today on the 61st celebrations of Uganda’s Independence, it is crucial to restate clearly again the essential ingredients of success for Uganda and may be the wider of Africa. So if we are not going to be like those people who the prayer book talks about, what should we emphasise on?” President Museveni noted.
The President said the crucial ingredient is rejecting the pseudo-ideology of emphasising the politics of identity and instead emphasising the politics of interests.
“While we recognize and respect the respective identities of our People (religion, tribes, gender), we insist that, in order to ensure the economic and social prosperity of our People, we must not forget their needs (food, jobs, market for their products, sources of raw materials for their industries, shelter, etc.). Our people need the supra-tribal Ugandan market and the Pan-African market, for their products to ensure their prosperity,” he expounded.
“We also want to eliminate corruption. Corruption takes the forms of stealing Government money meant for pro-People efforts (economic, infrastructure, service delivery, etc.), taking bribes from the public looking for services (jobs, medical care, licences, etc.); and from investors. Ugandans and non-Ugandans that want to do business in Uganda, do not pay bribes. Report the scum to the State House Anti-Corruption team and Colonel Nakalema’s group. Action will be taken.”
The President further warned that the government was going to crush the corrupt people because they are parasites who don’t wish Uganda any good.
The event was also attended by the Vice President of Uganda, H.E Jessica Alupo, the Deputy Prime Minister of Tanzania, Hon. Doto Biteko, the Chief Justice, His Lordship Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt.Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, 3rd Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon. Lukia Isanga Nakadama, ministers, Members of Parliament, security forces leadership, members of the diplomatic corps, religious and cultural leaders, among others.
