The Office of the National Chairman (ONC) Manager and Senior Presidential Advisor, SPA Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, has called on Ugandans to revive the spirit of sacrifice, patriotism and service associated with the men and women who gave their lives during Uganda’s liberation struggle.
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Namyalo made the call on Tuesday during the Spiritual Revival of the Fallen Warriors ceremony held at the Office of the National Chairman in Kyambogo, Kampala, as the country commemorated the 82nd birthday of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The ceremony brought together government officials, religious leaders, surviving veterans, families of fallen liberation fighters and other supporters of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to remember those who sacrificed their lives during the struggle and reflect on the responsibility of the living to preserve the gains of liberation.
Namyalo said the commemoration was not simply about looking back at Uganda’s turbulent past, but an opportunity for the country to reconnect with the values and ideals that motivated the fallen warriors to make the ultimate sacrifice.
She said the spiritual revival should encourage Ugandans to reflect on the country’s history, acknowledge past mistakes, seek forgiveness where necessary and renew their commitment to building a peaceful and prosperous Uganda.
According to Namyalo, the sacrifices of the fallen warriors should not be reduced to historical events, because the peace and stability enjoyed by Ugandans today were achieved at a significant human cost.
She urged the younger generation in particular to learn about the liberation struggle and appreciate the responsibilities that come with the freedoms and opportunities inherited from those who came before them.
The ONC manager said the ceremony was also intended to honour the living veterans who continue to carry memories of the struggle and to recognise the contribution of families and communities that supported the liberation effort.
She said the fallen warriors may no longer be physically present, but their ideals and spirit should continue to influence the conduct of present and future generations.
Namyalo also used the occasion to celebrate President Museveni, whose birthday coincided with the commemoration, and linked his political journey to the broader history of Uganda’s liberation.
She thanked religious leaders and other participants for joining the initiative, saying prayer and spiritual reflection remained important in strengthening national unity, reconciliation and a sense of responsibility among citizens.
The ceremony also featured a message from Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, who represented President Museveni and delivered his remarks to the gathering.
In his message, Museveni said major transformations in society often come at a price and require the sacrifice of individuals who are prepared to put the interests of the wider community above their own.
He said Uganda’s liberation from the successive dictatorships that had characterised the country’s post-independence history was achieved through a protracted struggle involving not only fighters on the battlefield but also civilians who supported the effort.
Museveni emphasised that the heroes of Uganda’s liberation should not be understood only as those who carried guns. He recognised the contribution of peasants and other ordinary Ugandans who provided support, shelter, information, food and other forms of assistance during the struggle.
The President said remembering the fallen was important because nations that forget the sacrifices upon which their progress was built risk losing the values that sustained their transformation.
He called on Ugandans to preserve the gains of liberation while continuing to address the challenges facing the country.
The Prime Minister, in delivering the message, said the commemoration provided an opportunity for Ugandans to reflect on the country’s journey and appreciate the men and women whose sacrifices contributed to the Uganda that exists today.
Religious leaders who participated in the ceremony also called for prayer, reflection and spiritual renewal, saying the remembrance of the fallen should go beyond speeches and ceremonies to inspire responsible conduct among citizens.
They urged Ugandans to seek reconciliation, promote peace and resist actions that could undermine national unity and stability.
The religious leaders said the younger generation has a particular responsibility to understand the history of the country and to ensure that the sacrifices made by earlier generations were not rendered meaningless through division, corruption, violence or indifference.
They also prayed for the souls of the fallen warriors and asked for God’s guidance for the country’s leaders and citizens.
The Spiritual Revival of the Fallen Warriors was organised under the theme of remembering, honouring and spiritually reconnecting with the men and women who contributed to Uganda’s liberation struggle.
The initiative has also been accompanied by efforts to profile both fallen and living veterans, highlighting their individual contributions to the struggle and preserving their stories for future generations.
Among those whose legacies have been highlighted by the ONC are early NRA fighters and commanders who participated in the 1981–1986 armed struggle, including Major Robert Kabura and JO1 Sabata Mawejje, as well as surviving veterans whose experiences continue to provide a link between Uganda’s liberation history and the present.
The ONC has described the initiative as an effort to ensure that the sacrifices of the liberation generation remain part of Uganda’s national memory.
As the ceremony concluded, participants reiterated the message that the legacy of the fallen warriors should not remain confined to remembrance but should be reflected in the way Ugandans serve their country.
The commemoration therefore combined prayer, remembrance and celebration, with President Museveni’s 82nd birthday providing the occasion for reflection on the country’s liberation journey and the sacrifices that shaped it.
Namyalo urged Ugandans to keep the spirit of the fallen alive through patriotism, unity, service and a commitment to protecting the gains made since the liberation of Uganda.
