Monuments in Uganda
Monuments in Uganda : Uganda was colonized by the Britain around 1890’s, Captain Frederick Lugard, an administrator of Imperial British East African Company (IBEAC), raised the Union Jack (British Flag) at a fort he established on Old Kampala hill (Fort Lugard), and declared Uganda a British protectorate. From that time, Uganda and her resources belonged to the British government. Indigenous people had little or no say about the future of their country. After Uganda’s independence, monuments were constructed. Below are some of the common monuments in Uganda to thrill while on Uganda Safaris Tours
The Independence Monument
The 1962 Uganda’s independence was welcomed with happiness and joy. Songs of jubilation and celebration were heard in all corners of the country.
Gregory Maloba put up an independence monument to signify the independent Uganda. It was instituted in the few months prior to the October 9th 1962 event. A huge towering concrete sculpture is symbolic in nature and it has several meanings attached to it.
It shows a woman standing on ground while lifting a baby in air, the woman with a roping around her body looks at a little boy in her hand who raises his hands in triumphant jubilation. The woman is mirroring the firm foundation that Uganda as country stands. The loosen body of the woman shows freedom from the bondage colonialism.
According to Marion I. Arnold, in the book, Art in Eastern Africa, the female figure with the child, growing from earth like a giant forest tree signify the motherland. The mother, standing astride, has both legs firmly attached to the ground strengthening her. Meaning Uganda is firm through the ages and not given to be moved now or in the future. The presence of voids within the binding may suggest that the bond between the colonial masters and their colonies has been loosened. But more specifically there, is an allusion to the stress of independence euphoria under which the sculpture was made. As her bonds fall away, Mother Uganda holds aloft a joyful new born child of independence. The Independence monument is located along Speke road near the wall fence of Sheraton Hotel Kampala. It’s open at any time of the day or night for viewing, photography and several good purposed reasons.
Sir Edward Mutesa 1 Monument
Sir Edward Frederick William David Walugembe Mutebi Luwangula Muteesa II (19 November 1924 – 21 November 1969), was the Kabaka (King) of Buganda Kingdom from 22 November 1939 until his death. He was the thirty-fifth Kabaka of Buganda and also the first President of Uganda immediately Uganda attained independence from the British.
A statue or monument was constructed at the Speke road and Nile Avenue at the junction close to the Uganda Independence monument. This monument was put up to commemorate Sir Edward Mutesa II as the first president of the independent Uganda and the 35th King of the Kingdom of Buganda for his work towards the struggle for independence in Uganda. The current Kabaka of Buganda – Ronald Muwenda Mutebi unveiled this Monument in 2007.
World War Memorial Monument
World War Memorial Monument commemorates those lost in World War II, printed on the back of 5,000 Uganda shillings note. This is one of the oldest statues in Kampala located next to the central police station. World War II was a very terrifying time for the whole world and all the colonial masters had asked their subjects for support during the war. For instance, Britain asked for help from Uganda to join forces to fight the opponents. This led to the series of loss of lives of Ugandans who had gone to support the British forces thus culminating in the construction of the world war memorial Monument by the British colonial government in 1945 that is also printed on the back of 5,000 Uganda shillings note for World War I and II.
The Centenary Monument
This is positioned in the famous Centenary Park along Jinja road in close proximity to Hotel Africana. It commemorates the centenary of the Kampala City Council – the governing body of Kampala City. This feature was designed by a Makerere University Artist, Sylvia Katende and it stretches up to 6 feet.
The Statue of Leadership
This is situated in front of the Amber House on Kampala road commemorating the introduction of electricity in Kampala. The sculpture features Sir Apollo Kaggwa the Prime Minister of Buganda Kingdom from 1890 – 1926. He is celebrated for having advocated for the extension of electricity and purified water to the Kingdom of Buganda amidst critics from the local Baganda who thought he was wasting time on unnecessary things instead of requesting for gold and guns. The 7 feet monument was facilitated by Electricity body with a hand from National Water and was uncovered in 2002 by the then Minister of Energy Hon. Saida Bbumba.
Education monuments
Various Institutions of learning including Universities and colleges contain monuments depicting the role of education.
Kyambogo University had a monument with three kids struggling to touch a book and it was put up in commemoration of 100 years of the education sector in Uganda. The monument was unveiled by Kintu Musoke in 1996.
Makerere University has the Monument titled Hatching a new generation in front of college of Natural Sciences. It depicts the new dawn in the world of academics in Uganda with rising of many institutions under the example of the fully established Makerere University.
The stride monument
This is one of the Monuments in Uganda and it is located amidst Kampala Serena Hotel and the Parliamentary gardens and was put up in commemoration of the Common Wealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2007. It was uncovered by the Queen of England and it is so far the most expensive monument in Uganda with a total cost of 150 million Uganda Shillings. The works of the stride monument were conducted by a team of eleven professional sculptors under the command of Prof. George Kyeyune. The wife husband and son aluminum assemblage moving forward depicts that common wealth countries are developing together as a family.
