Kim Aine
President Museveni on Saturday joined the Acholi in celebrations to mark the Lamogi rebellion
President Yoweri Museveni has said that the Lamogi rebellion in Amuru district against the British colonial administration was justified.
The President made the remarks on Saturday in Guru Guru, Lamogi Sub-County in Amuru district in the Acholi Sub-Region during celebrations marking the 1911 Lamogi Clan rebellion against the British rule.
The celebrations were attended by several dignitaries including the Acholi traditional leader, Rwot David Onen Achana the second.
“The Lamogi rebellion was justified because the British did not have business here. It was not their land and they should not have come here,” the President observed adding that the whole of Africa, with the exception of Ethiopia, was colonized.
He noted that other people like the Banyoro in Uganda, the Zulu, the Xhosa, the Herero in Southern Africa and the Ashante in Western Africa, were among the tribes that fought against colonialism for Africa’s freedom.
He said that when the Lamogi people killed British Army Officers the colonial masters were finally defeated.
During the skirmishes, which are known as the Lamogi Rebellion, three British soldiers were killed and many Lamogi fighters died of gas suffocation on Guru Guru Hills in present day Amuru district.
President Museveni said that Africa was colonized mainly because the people were organized as clans or tribes which made it easy for the colonialists to defeat them.
He noted that this was a lesson for us to organize on a national basis. He reminded the celebrants that “this was the method that was used by the Ethiopians that led to the defeat of the Italians who attempted to colonize Ethiopia.”
Mr. Museveni reminded the gathering that NRM has time and again made its stand clear that it does not think in terms of tribes or clans.
He, therefore, called on the people of the Acholi Sub-Region in particular and Ugandans at large to always think in terms of Uganda and Africa adding that this is where the strength lies.
President Museveni said that African ancestors fought bravely but that the British defeated them because they had spears as opposed to their guns. He noted that they had new science while Africa had the old one.
He emphasized that politics that is organized along clan and not on national basis, was wrong. He reminded them that “Africa need to audit what our people did and what we are doing now to ensure the viability and survival of the people of Africa.”
Turning to issues of development, the President urged the people of the area to work together with their leaders and sort out local politics especially with regard to some people who are not supporting the establishment of a proposed sugar industry in Amuru district.
He said that the introduction of factories was part of the new technology adding that the correct position was to have new science so that Africa’s culture shifts from the use of muscles to using machines.
The President told the people of the area while we should respect tradition this, however, should not be at the expense of modern advancement of science. He assured them that the future of Africa lies in advancement of development while keeping and respecting the culture at the same time.
He told them that Africa should not compromise on the issue of homosexuality because it is contrary to the continent’s culture.
Mr. Museveni further observed that Amuru district was still far from solving a number of basic issues such as good murram roads, health centers and water in schools because they did not have local leaders who can work with the Government. He, therefore, reminded the people of the need to have leaders who are willing to work with NRM Government to ensure the advancement of development projects in the district such as roads and electricity, among others.
Tourism
President Museveni agreed with the proposal by the local leaders to make Lamogi a tourism site in memory of its fight against the British colonial rule.
He thanked the Acholi Paramount Chief, Rwot David Onen Achana for donating 150 acres of land towards the promotion of that tourism site. He said that the Government would allocate funds for the promotion of the Lamogi site as a tourist destination point.
The President pledged a donation of a vehicle to the Rwot and also a pledge of a lorry to replace the one that Pabbo Secondary School lost during the liberation war in 1986.
The President further said that Government would build a technical institute in memory of the Lamogi rebellion.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanya, advised the people of the area to vote for President Museveni come the 2016 general elections.
Amuru district LC5 Chairman, Mr. Atube Omach, expressed their gratitude to President Museveni for restoring security, peace and development. He saluted him for his efforts to promote the sugar industry in the Amuru district.
He commended the President for being the first Ugandan leader to visit the Lamogi historical site. He assured the President that the leaders of Amuru district are fully committed to developing it into a tourism site
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