RITAH

Prince Haji Swaleh Tibamwenda, a veteran civilian who participated in the 1986 NRA liberation war has criticized Ugandans who dismiss the NRM liberation celebrations as a waste of taxpayer money.

He urged them to reflect on the country's past, which was marked by genocide, vote-rigging, corruption, and economic collapse before the NRM government came to power.

On January 26th, 1986, National Resistance Army fighters captured Kampala, overthrowing Apollo Milton Obote's government.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni issued a decree on August 28th, 1986, marking the beginning of his presidency.

During his swearing-in ceremony, Museveni pledged to bring about fundamental change, fighting vote theft, human rights violations, unemployment, improving education and welfare.

Earlier this week, The State Minister of Kampala Metropolitan Affairs, Kabuye Kyofatogabye, announced that year's celebrations would be held in Mubende district, where 61 individuals would receive medals.

However, some Ugandans, including MPs, questioned the relevance of the celebrations, labeling them a waste of taxpayer money.

Prince Swaleh Tibamwenda, a 1986 bush war hero and now chairman of the Buwanika zone in Kisenyi, countered these claims, asking critics to acknowledge the justice and progress achieved by the government.

He emphasized that the liberation was not solely for NRM members but for all Ugandans.

One of the major sparks for the NRA guerilla war was the injustices perpetrated by the Obote regime including vote rigging, Tibamwenda noted that, unlike the previous regime, the NRM has established a judicial system, allowing individuals to seek justice if dissatisfied with election outcomes.

He urged the opposition to utilize the current freedom of speech and expression to advise the government, rather than advocating for change.

END