A wave of patriotic optimism swept through Makerere University today as Ugandans from different walks of life converged to witness the unveiling of Friends of Uganda, a new initiative aimed at nurturing peace, unity, and national pride as the country edges closer to another election season.
The gathering drew diplomats, religious leaders, students, and civil society representatives who came together under a common call: to rise above political divisions and tribal sentiment and put Uganda’s stability first. The Honorary Consul of Malaysia, Habib Kajimu, who officiated as guest of honour, delivered a spirited message urging citizens to love their country and reject the growing culture of intolerance that he said was eroding Uganda’s moral fabric.
“Uganda belongs to all of us,” Kajimu told the audience, his tone both reflective and resolute. “Our origins may differ, our political choices may vary, but the blood that flows in us is the same. We are one people, and this nation must remain our common home.”
He criticised politicians who fuel tribal and regional divisions for personal gain, describing their actions as “shortsighted and destructive.” He dismissed those advocating for the expulsion of certain ethnic communities as ignorant of Uganda’s shared history. “Who among us can trace the DNA of where we came from?” he asked. “We have lived together for generations, and no tribe owns this land more than the other. What matters is peace and progress.”
Kajimu also cautioned voters against being swayed by leaders who threaten unrest if they lose, saying that true patriotism means accepting results peacefully and putting the nation’s interests above political ambition. “The elections will pass, but Uganda will remain,” he said. “Those who chase power through violence forget that the future belongs to our children and grandchildren.”
He criticised opposition voices who lobby foreign donors to withhold support to Uganda, warning that such moves hurt ordinary citizens more than government institutions. “When you stop aid, it is the child in the village who misses medicine or a classroom, not the politician,” Kajimu said, calling for a renewed spirit of patriotism and self-reliance. He further emphasised that the country’s transformation lies in science and innovation led by Ugandans themselves.
Taking the stage later, Friends of Uganda chairperson Nasif Muhumuza described the organisation as a citizen-driven effort to inspire collective responsibility and restore confidence in Uganda’s democratic journey. His address blended emotion with conviction, drawing from the country’s deep social ties and shared struggles.
“We are gathered not as members of different groups, but as Ugandans bound by love for our country,” he said. “Love is more than a feeling; it is a decision we make daily—to care, to protect, and to build.”
Muhumuza said the movement was born out of conversations across homes and communities about the need to preserve national peace, especially during politically charged periods. As Uganda moves toward another election, he urged citizens to approach the process with maturity and self-restraint. “The world is watching us, but more importantly, we must watch ourselves,” he said. “How we conduct ourselves during and after the elections will reveal the strength of our democracy.”
He introduced the initiative’s guiding philosophy: Our Nation, Our Shared Responsibility, a phrase he described as both a promise and a challenge. “The farmer in Hoima, the teacher in Gulu, the trader in Kampala, and the fisherman on Lake Victoria all share one duty—to protect the peace and dignity of this country,” he said. “Peace is not found in silence or fear, but in justice, respect, and tolerance, even when we disagree.”
Muhumuza called on young people to become active participants in shaping a peaceful Uganda, urging them to use their platforms to promote reasoned debate rather than hostility. “Let us choose words that heal instead of those that wound,” he said. “Let us be known to the world not for conflict, but for compassion.”
As the ceremony closed, groups of students and civic leaders lingered around the university gardens, discussing how to spread the message of unity in their communities. For many, the event was more than a launch—it was a moment of reflection, a reminder that safeguarding Uganda’s peace is not the work of a few but a duty shared by all.
In a country preparing for yet another political contest, Friends of Uganda emerged not as a campaign group but as a quiet, determined call for calm—a reminder that while politics may divide, patriotism should bind Ugandans together.