Uganda gained independence from Great Britain as a parliamentary democratic monarchy with traditional kingdoms Ankole, Buganda, Bunyoro and Toro receiving federal status and a degree of autonomy. Buganda, under the leadership of Sir Edward Mutesa, was the most powerful kingdom. Milton Obote the leader of the socialist Uganda People's Congress became the first prime minister of the newly independent Uganda. In 1963 Uganda became the Republic of Uganda, with Mutesa II as first (largely ceremonial) president.
Although since independence Uganda has had a very trouble history marked with much violence and oppression, since 2006 the country has enjoyed much greater peace and stability. The needs of the country remain huge but there is a great desire by Ugandans to work hard to fight poverty and make the best use of the country's significant natural resources to build a future for themselves, their children and their grandchildren.
The flag of Uganda was adopted in 1962 and black identifies Uganda as a black nation, yellow represents the abundant sunshine Uganda enjoys being and red represents Uganda's brotherhood with the rest of Africa and the world. The crested crane, the national bird of Uganda, and the raised leg symbolizes that Uganda is not stationary but moving forward.
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 The coat of arms reflects the identity, aspirations and economic activity of Uganda. The Crested Crane (Regulorum gibbericeps) includes the national colours plus it is friendly and peace loving, characteristics true of the Ugandan people. To the left is a Kob (Adenota kob Thomasi) symbolizes the abundant wildlife found in Uganda. The spear and shield are traditional tools of defense in Africa. The sun represents the abundant sunshine found in Uganda as an equatorial nation. The drum is a symbol of the cultural heritage of the Ugandan people. The upper blue lines (top of shield) represent Uganda's abundant rainfall while the lower blue lines (under the shield) represent plentiful lakes and rivers. To the left see coffee growing and to the right cotton, both cash crops of Uganda with cotton being grown less today than in previous years. The motto For God and My Country reflects upon Uganda as a nation of people who fear God and love their country. | |
I have been made to feel most welcome since arriving in Uganda and can understand why Sir Winston Churchill described Uganda as the "pearl of Africa".
Oh Uganda!
May God uphold Thee,
We lay our future in thy hand,
United, free,
For liberty,
Together we'll always stand.
May God uphold Thee,
We lay our future in thy hand,
United, free,
For liberty,
Together we'll always stand.
- Oh Uganda!
The land of Freedom,
Our love and labour we give,
And with neighbours' all,
At our Country's call,
In peace and friendship, we'll live.
- Oh Uganda!
The land that Feeds us,
By sun and fertile soil grown,
For our own dear land,
We'll always stand,
The Pearl of Africa's Crown.
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