KAMPALA, UGANDA — The Office of the National Chairman (ONC) of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has called on Ugandans to use the country’s 64th Independence Anniversary to reflect on the value of peace, stability and national development.
In an Independence message issued on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, the Manager of the Office of the National Chairman, said Uganda’s attainment of political independence on October 9, 1962, did not immediately translate into lasting peace and security.
Namyalo said Uganda’s history should guide how citizens approach the future, arguing that political independence can only be meaningful when it is accompanied by peace, security and stability.
NRM credited with restoring stability
According to Namyalo, the NRM’s rise to power in 1986 played a significant role in restoring peace, rebuilding institutions and creating conditions for national reconstruction.
“When President Museveni assumed leadership in 1986, he inherited a country deeply damaged by years of conflict and political turmoil,” Namyalo said.
She added that the NRM liberation struggle was, according to the party’s account, not simply about taking power but about restoring Uganda and creating conditions in which citizens could enjoy the independence attained in 1962.
“That is why we say that 1962 gave Uganda political independence, but the NRM under President Museveni gave that independence a stronger foundation of peace, stability and national reconstruction,” she said.
Namyalo emphasised that peace, security and stability remain central to Uganda’s development, warning that without peace, independence risks becoming merely a political concept, while insecurity and instability can undermine freedom and sustainable development.
Ugandans urged to protect gains
The ONC Manager also urged Ugandans to recognise the progress made since 1986 while remaining mindful of the country’s history.
“Today, Ugandans can debate, criticise government and participate in politics because the country has created a political environment in which that freedom can be exercised,” she said.
However, Namyalo, popularly known as Chief Muzzukulu, cautioned against actions that could undermine Uganda’s stability. She called on citizens to protect what she described as the gains made over the years.
She further urged leaders and citizens to ensure that Uganda’s natural resources, particularly oil, are managed in a way that benefits the wider population.
“The discovery of our treasure oil in Uganda has to benefit us all, not to be turned messy,” she said.
Call for responsible leadership
Namyalo also used the Independence anniversary message to call for humility and responsibility among leaders, saying Uganda’s future requires leaders who understand the weight of the responsibility entrusted to them.
She urged Ugandans to mark the 64th Independence Anniversary through peaceful reflection and renewed commitment to preserving national stability.
“Let us celebrate independence, with a clear mind, peaceful thoughts and stability that have enabled our independence to become meaningful,” she said.
She concluded by calling on Ugandans to protect the country’s achievements and ensure that its natural resources become a blessing to all citizens.
Uganda will mark 64 years of independence on October 9, 2026. The country gained independence from British colonial rule in 1962 but subsequently experienced political crises, military coups and periods of armed conflict before the NRM came to power in 1986.
As Uganda prepares to commemorate the anniversary, the ONC message places renewed emphasis on peace, stability, responsible leadership and national development as key pillars for the country’s future.
