The Independence Monument

The Independence Monument is one of the most interesting attractions to visit within Kampala City, and what makes it worth exploring is the fact that it carries a lot of meaning to the history of Uganda especially Independence from the British Government. The Independence Monument is not just some ordinary structure you will see but rather a wonderful feature with significant history and meaning attached to it and interestingly, everything on it carried some meaning to the history of Uganda especially pertaining its road to Independence.

Not only does it stand within Kampala but is also printed at the back of the country’s currency notes, thus its importance to Uganda. It is situated along Speke road within Kampala, between Sheraton Kampala Hotel, Grand Imperial Hotel and Standard Chartered Bank thus a perfect stopover point for a tourist interested in exploring the attractions within Kampala City. It is not just a monument but a giant towering concrete sculpture that is very symbolic in nature and several meanings attached to it.

Standing beautifully at a height of 6 meters, the Independence Monument was constructed with funding from the British Colonial Government in the days leading to 9^th October 1962, Uganda’s first Independence Celebrations. It is inform of a woman standing on-ground while unwrapping and lifting her child in the air with hands raised in triumphant jubilation showing the firm foundation that Uganda as a country stands on. The loosen body of the woman signifies the freedom attained from bondage-colonialism in this case.

The woman with the child growing from the ground like a giant forest tree shows the motherland-Uganda while the mother standing aside and has her both legs firmly attached to the ground strengthening her, thus implying Uganda is strong through the ages and cannot be moved now or in the future. Therefore, the entire sculpture shows a new born country let free from bondages and colonialism thus one of the reason you have to visit it when in Kampala and don’t forget your camera to capture every sight of the structure.

Historically, Uganda was colonized by Britain in around 1890s with Captain Frederick Lugard being the Administrator of the Imperial British East African Company (also known as IBEAC) and is known for raising the Union Jack (British Flag) at a Fort he built at Old Kampala Hill (named Fort Lugard after him) thus declaring Uganda a British Protectorate meaning all the country’s resources including minerals were owned by the British Government leaving the local people with little or no say regarding the future of the country.

Therefore, the 9^th October 1962 Independence was received with great joy and celebration with songs of jubilation heard all across the country.   The Independence Monument was put up by George Maloba as a sign of Independence of Uganda and was put up a few months before the 9^th October event.