KIWALA CAROLINE TAHIR: At 64, Uganda’s Independence is just a mindset change

What the report says

Watchdog Uganda published an opinion piece by Caroline Kiwala marking Uganda’s 64th year of political independence. The column says the anniversary should be viewed not only as a historical milestone, but as a prompt for Ugandans to rethink sovereignty, self-reliance and national purpose. It was published on October 9, 2026, alongside the country’s Independence Day commemorations.

The writer argues that true sovereignty goes beyond symbols such as the flag and instead includes the ability to feed the population, deliver healthcare, educate children and make independent national decisions. She frames the current challenge as economic rather than political independence, and points to local industrial and investment examples as signs of progress, including Kiira Motors in Jinja, locally named crude oil products, and Ugandan companies investing in pharmaceuticals, vaccines and food processing.

The piece also links independence to public service and social cohesion. It says Uganda should be a country where merit matters more than patronage, where teachers and health workers are supported, and where all ethnic communities are treated equally as citizens. The author presents hope and visionary leadership as shared responsibilities, not just traits of top officials.

The article is signed by the Assistant Resident District Commissioner for Iganga and closes with a call for a mindset shift from dependence to self-reliance. As opinion writing, it reflects the author’s views rather than a reported news event, but it fits into broader debates in Uganda about industrialization, governance and the meaning of independence.