It’s been awhile since our last #UgandaFastFact so here’s a little bit of knowledge you probably didn’t know about Uganda: NRM Liberation Day is celebrated on January 26.
The country has seen a lot of turmoil throughout its history. For 70 years spanning the 18th and 19th century, Uganda was controlled by Britain. They didn’t gain their independence until 1962 (if you recall, Oct. 9 is celebrated as Independence Day in Uganda).
Milton Obote was the first leader to take on the role of Prime Minister for the country, but his years in office were not without civil rights abuses and corruption. In the 1980’s the National Resistance Army, under the political National Resistance Movement led by Yoweri Museveni, fought against, and eventually ousted, Obote. on January 25. On January 29 Museveni took the reigns as President, promising a fundamental change in the politics of Uganda.
Since then, Ugandans celebrate NRM Liberation Day on January 26. However, with Museveni still in power 30 years later, citizens have started boycotting the holiday claiming governmental corruption, vote rigging are still rampant in Uganda’s political system.
The political unrest is leading to a rise of militant groups. And as a result Uganda is part of a major famine currently taking over South Sudan, which we talked about during our Thanksgiving post. As these militant groups take over the country, more people are forced to flee their homes as refugees, leaving behind crops that help sustain the population and adding to the current food shortage. Food prices are skyrocketing, and it’s hard for humanitarian aids to get enough food supply in to feed everyone.
While NRM Liberation Day was originally created to celebrate the people’s freedom from a corrupt government, the countries work is far from over. It may be awhile until the people of Uganda are able to find their happiness and contentment. Until then, and now more than ever, it’s time for humanity to come together and provide whatever aide they can to get through this tumultuous time in the country’s history.
Hope for Hearts is doing its part to help by providing basic necessities such as food, clothing and shelter to orphaned children in Uganda. We also supplement these basic necessities with educational opportunities and by providing a loving home and family – which many of these kids long for. However, we are not immune to the sky-rocketing costs of food during the famine and turmoil in Uganda. You can do your part to help by making a donation to Hope for Hearts so we can continue to provide for the hundreds of children in our schools.
With all the political unrest happening right now, it’s hard to say if and when the people of Uganda will find peace, happiness, and a new reason to celebrate yet another liberation day. Until then, all we can do is show our support as much as we can.
Click here to make a donation.
With Love,
Cristen
