By Guest Writer
As Uganda marks 64 years of self-rule today, Commissioner of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), Hon. Shifrah Lukwago, has delivered a stirring message of hope, responsibility and sovereignty.
In her Independence Day message released under the national theme *”Embracing our Sovereignty with Hope and Visionary Leadership”*, Hon. Lukwago said the 9th of October must remind every Ugandan that independence was not a gift, but a right hard-won through courage and sacrifice.
“Fellow Ugandans, we honour the courage, sacrifice, and vision of the men and women who fought for our freedom and laid the foundation for a sovereign Republic,” Lukwago said.
She noted that the fundamental right to self-determination, the right of people to freely choose their political destiny remains the core of Uganda’s independence.
“That right was hard-won. Today, safeguarding it means more than remembering history. It requires protecting our sovereignty, upholding the Constitution, strengthening democratic institutions, promoting national unity, and ensuring every Ugandan has a genuine voice in the country’s future,” she said.
Hon. Lukwago defined true independence in clear terms: “True independence is not only freedom from external rule; it is the continuous responsibility to defend the freedoms and institutions that allow Ugandans to determine their own path.”
Paying tribute to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Commissioner said his stewardship has anchored the peace, stability and national cohesion that make the enjoyment of human rights possible.
She commended government for consolidating constitutional governance and expanding access to education, health and socio-economic development, noting that the continued support for an independent UHRC under the 1995 Constitution is itself a milestone of independence.
She concluded with a call to action: “As we embrace our sovereignty with hope and visionary leadership, the Commission calls upon all Ugandans, leaders and citizens alike to renew their commitment to justice, equality, non-discrimination, accountability, and respect for human dignity.”
The UHRC, she said, remains steadfast in its duty to monitor, promote and protect human rights for all.
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