These are my reflections on Heroes Day Celebrations to which Morrison Rwakakamba responded in the The African Executive - calling them a diatribe.

I watched Sunday’s NTV live broadcast of the Heroes Day Celebrations held in Nakaseke District. I was both astounded and troubled by what I saw and heard. There was something about the entire event that re-enacted the sad narrative of Uganda's history.

Three episodes stand out from that event:

First were the remarks by Honourable Frank Tumwebaze castigating what he called Uganda's 'facebook elite' who continuously post negative comments about Heroes Day. Honourable Tumwebaze was troubled that this behaviour was typical of many of Uganda's elite. In his view, many foreigners are better because they are able to appreciate Uganda. Our political leaders need to know that Ugandans love their country. However, Ugandans have issues with our political leaders who continue to betray the country and the people. What Honourable Tumwebaze and many like him in the Museveni regime chose to deny is that the majority of Ugandans do not make sense of such celebrations because they live on the edge - simply surviving. The 'non-elite' Ugandans who are equally disgruntled with our current leaders have no voice to air their plight. Those who could have spoken for them have been silenced with a few crumbs. Instead of speaking for the voiceless, they now sing and chant in praise of President Museveni—the same choruses and chants that were being sung loudly in Nakaseke.

Then came Gen Elly Tumwine with the long list of Uganda's heroes and heroines. The breadth and depth of the list was impressive. As I listened and watched them step in front for the handshake with the President, it was clear that each one of them must have earned their place on that list. They are heroes and heroines. I wondered for a moment whether there was no consensus in the country about them being National heroes. The question that came to mind and still lingers is "what is the criteria for a Ugandan to be named a hero or heroine?" Please any of you reading this that have seen it, let me know. The National Medals Committee - Prof Mondo Kagonyera and his team - should publish the criteria and allow Ugandans to make an input. Sadly if there is not transparent and credible criteria, those who were named may later be counted simply as Museveni-NRM/NRA heroes/heroines. They too could be forgotten when the Museveni regime ends.

The third episode was the speech of our President (fondly called 'Ssabalwanyi' by one of speakers at the Ceremony and I guess by that No. 1 on the roll of honour). As always, his way of helping Ugandans appreciated the progress the country has made under his leadership is to compare his regime with past regimes - from which he and the other the heroes and heroines liberated the country (the story that was being told over and over again at the Ceremony). Then I thought for a moment about our President's audience - Ugandans from all walks of life. The majority of Ugandans can only compare is Museveni to Museveni - the Museveni of the 80s and 90s with the Museveni of the 2000+. Remember 75% of Uganda's population is 25 years and below. There are some who have suggested that if the two 'Musevenis' met, they would fight. Clearly by the way the current Museveni speaks, if the two met, the younger would congratulate the older. On this I tend to agree with him. The entire ceremony revolved around him as is if he is everything that matters in Uganda today. However, what is even more disheartening is that the majority of the Museveni-era children cannot make much sense from that comparison because they are all dependants: about 60% of the population of Uganda today are children – 18 years and below; the unemployment rate among Uganda's youth stands at a staggering 83%.

Yes, Uganda has had a difficult and turbulent past. That history has shaped us. However, what matters most today is to cast a hopeful vision for the future. Clearly Yoweri K Museveni has played his part. It is time to pass on the baton to those who are able to speak more eloquently and relevantly to the Museveni-era children and their children.

By Bishop D. Zac Niringiye
[email protected]