President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is expected to confer Independence medals on 20 Ugandans on Friday as Uganda marks its 64th Independence Day with a scaled-down, virtual celebration.
The ceremony will be held at Entebbe State House, with only 30 Very, Very Important Persons and selected religious leaders expected to attend physically, according to Minister for the Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda.
Babalanda announced the arrangements on Tuesday, October 6, while addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala.
She said the decision to limit physical attendance followed a Cabinet decision to suspend the usual celebrations and redirect funds to other government priorities.
“At its 8th Special Meeting held on March 19, 2026, Cabinet, under Minute 59 [CT 2026] 5, directed that celebrations of National and International Days be temporarily suspended with effect from the Financial Year 2026/2027, and that the funds allocated for such celebrations be repurposed towards other pressing Government priorities,” Babalanda said.
She also corrected an earlier reference to the Cabinet decision, saying the relevant provision was Minute 59 (CT 2026) 5 of the eighth special meeting held on March 19, rather than Minute 29 as stated in an earlier communique.
Despite the Cabinet directive, Babalanda said State House would fund this year’s Independence Day activities.
She said the 30 VVIPs and selected religious leaders invited to Entebbe State House would include heads of state, presidents and prime ministers, royalty and crown princes, senior diplomats, government ministers and ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
Independence history
Babalanda said the October 9 commemoration remains an opportunity to reflect on Uganda’s path to self-rule and the sacrifices made during the struggle against colonial rule.
“Independence Day is a gazetted public holiday observed annually on October 9. The day commemorates Uganda’s attainment of Independence in 1962 and provides an opportunity for the country to reflect on its historical journey, honour the sacrifices of the patriots and heroes and heroines who contributed to the struggle for self-rule and celebrate the achievements registered since Independence,” she said.
She cited resistance by historical figures including Omukama Kabalega of Bunyoro and Kabaka Mwanga II of Buganda as part of Uganda’s broader history of opposition to colonial rule.
“Among the early resisters were Omukama Kabalega of Bunyoro, who resisted attempts to annex Bunyoro to Egypt in 1872 and Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda, whose resistance included the Battle of Kabuwoko in Buddu in 1897,” Babalanda said.
She also pointed to the growth of African political organisation in the decades that followed, including the Uganda National Congress, formed in 1952 under Ignatius Musazi.
According to Babalanda, the expansion of African participation in the Legislative Council, the return of the Kabaka of Buganda from exile in 1955 and the Namirembe Agreement were among the developments that preceded self-government.
She said demands for independence continued in the Legislative Council, leading to internal self-government in 1961, Uganda’s first general elections in April 1962 and independence on October 9, 1962.
“The Independence Day Anniversary is therefore not merely ceremonial. It is a moment for National reflection, an opportunity to honour the sacrifices of our forefathers and to celebrate the achievements of our Sovereign Republic,” she said.
20 to receive national honours
The 20 awardees will receive honours in various categories under Uganda’s National Honours and Awards.
State House is expected to publish the list of recipients on Thursday, according to Babalanda.
The ceremony will be broadcast live on Uganda Broadcasting Corporation television and other local television platforms.
Resident district commissioners have also been directed to mobilise citizens to follow the celebrations from district headquarters.
Security around Entebbe State House has been tightened, with physical access restricted to accredited VVIPs and the selected religious leaders, Babalanda said.
