Uganda Today Edition: No Buganda, No Uganda: A Nation’s Identity Under Siege
The Outrage Over New Regional Names
The newly proposed regional names on Uganda’s map are stirring outrage and disbelief among citizens. These changes, seen by many as provocative and unreasonable, challenge the very core of Uganda’s historical and cultural identity. No right-minded Ugandan, the author argues, can accept such alterations without protest.
The perception that Uganda belongs to a select few who make unilateral decisions for the nation is an affront to democracy. Ugandans, intelligent and proud, deserve a voice in decisions that shape their identity. Was this renaming process inclusive and consultative, or merely an imposition driven by personal agendas and prejudice?
A Scheme to Erase Buganda?
Emerging from informal sources is an unsettling narrative: a deliberate attempt to weaken Buganda’s influence and erase it from Uganda’s map. The author highlights that Buganda’s historical significance is inseparable from Uganda’s very name and identity. Erasing Buganda is akin to erasing Uganda itself.
The question remains: Why tamper with a legacy that has shaped the nation? Buganda’s prominence is not a fabrication — it is a reality rooted in the kingdom’s contributions to Uganda’s social, economic, and political landscape.
Buganda: A Pacesetter, Not an Enemy
Buganda has long been a trailblazer in Uganda’s development. From infrastructure to culture, the region attracts Ugandans from all corners — Karamojongs, West Nilers, Jopadholas, Banyoro, Basoga — seeking opportunities and a better quality of life. The weather, the economic vibrancy, the food, and the hospitality make Buganda a magnet for those wanting a brighter future.
It’s undeniable that many influential Ugandans, regardless of ethnicity, have established roots in Buganda. Their lives, according to the author, often improve in various ways — physically, socially, economically, and politically — once they settle there.
Erasing Buganda: A Recipe for Division
The push to rename regions appears to stem from an inferiority complex harbored by some who feel overshadowed by Buganda’s success. However, fostering national unity requires celebrating regional strengths, not suppressing them. The author warns that erasing Buganda could fuel division and resentment among Ugandans, potentially escalating into a nationwide standoff.
The time, energy, and resources spent on undermining Buganda could be better directed toward national development. Why focus on tearing down a region that contributes so much to the country’s prosperity?
History as a Foundation, Not an Obstacle
The recent court ruling to rename roads and historical landmarks in Kampala further underscores the troubling trend of rewriting history. The author argues that history — no matter how painful — forms the foundation for progress. Uganda’s colonial past secured its place in the Commonwealth, a status it continues to value despite that difficult legacy.
If Uganda is willing to preserve its Commonwealth ties, why not preserve its own regional heritage?
A Call for Pro-People Leadership
Uganda of today, the author stresses, must prioritize meaningful development, human rights, and inclusivity. Leaders must abandon trivial pursuits and focus on policies that uplift all Ugandans — without erasing their identities.
The country’s future offers ample opportunities to establish new regions and infrastructure. Let those take on fresh names, while existing regions retain their historical significance.
Uganda is a beautiful, resilient nation. But for it to thrive, its leadership must bridge the gaps that divide people, rather than create new ones.
Published by Uganda Today, your trusted source for news and analysis
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