As part of celebrations to mark ninety years of Makerere University and fifty years of Uganda’s Independence, Makerere University held a memorial lecture in commemoration of the late Ignatius Kangave Musaazi, a national hero.

The late Musaazi was described by many speakers as a selfless nationalist who was bent towards building a better Uganda and voiced his views irrespective of the turbulent political environment of the 1970s.

The lecture, “I.K. Musaazi and the Essence of Independence” was presented by Prof. Horace Campbell a world renowned international peace and justice scholar based in the USA. In his presentation, Prof. Campbell challenged Ugandans to look at the next fifty years as a time of re-analyzing the true meaning of independence. He urged the nation to focus on consolidating the banana as a key economic resource, and challenged Makerere University to take lead in giving true meaning to independence.

“Makerere needs to re-write the history of Uganda so that Ugandans understand the historical connections of all former leaders,” he said. He emphasized that the colonial administration introduced tribal divisions amongst Ugandans, an issue that needs to be dealt away with in the current quest for true independence. Prof. Campbell was optimistic that the realization of a true African union is just round the corner as long as all rights of people are recognized and the spirit of Pan-Africanism enhanced. He pointed out that the African continent has several advantages over other continents including a rich history of struggle, demographic cohesion, and a vision to unite which need to be harnessed for the continent to take off.

The First Deputy Vice Chancellor in Charge of Academic Affairs at Makerere University, Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa Ekirikubinza, was grateful that the lecture is at this university where the late Musaazi once lectured. “Ignatius Musaazi was referred to as a trouble maker and he quit his job at Makerere University. He then started advocating for farmers’ demands. Makerere is thankful to the national organizing committee and the I.K. Musaazi foundation for bringing this lecture here,” she said.

The Guest of Honour, Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi who represented the President described the lecture as a fitting tribute to the late Ignatius Musaazi. “It is significant that the lecture is in Makerere. It is priceless to the young people. Musaazi denounced colonial rule in Uganda and formed the first political party, the Uganda National Congress (UNC). He was true to his vision and was declared a national hero. As we celebrate fifty years, we need to be fully conscious that political independence must be seconded by economic independence,” he added.

Dr. S. Kayunga Simba, the Chair of Political Science and Public Administration Department at Makerere University said Musaazi was indeed a true nationalist who influenced the construction of the current parliamentary building and the National Theatre during his time as a member of Parliament.

The lecture was attended by government ministers including Hon. Muruli Mukasa and Hon. Tarsis Kabwegere, Members of Parliament, Diplomats, Makerere University Staff, students among others.

Story by Marion Alina, Public Relations Office