As Uganda marks 63 years of independence, many citizens across the country are celebrating the milestones achieved over the decades. However, in Masaka, a region that played a pivotal role in Uganda’s journey to self-rule, the mood is more reflective than festive.
For residents here, Independence Day is a reminder of the region’s immense sacrifices—and the development they feel has never come.
Masaka’s contribution to Uganda’s independence and early economy is well-documented. From the political efforts of iconic leaders like Benedicto Kiwanuka, the country’s first Prime Minister, to the economic backbone provided by the region’s agriculture, Masaka was at the heart of Uganda’s early Cooperative unions
Joseph Kalungi, a historian based in Masaka, says the region’s contribution was both ideological and economic.
“Masaka was a stronghold of the independence movement, producing leaders and thinkers who fought tirelessly for Uganda’s self-determination. Economically, the region’s coffee, cotton, and food crops powered the national economy during the pre- and post-independence years,” Kalungi said.
Yet despite this strong foundation, residents argue that Masaka has not reaped the benefits of its contributions. The scars of Uganda’s turbulent post-independence period are still visible in the region.
Masaka suffered the brunt of two devastating civil wars in the 1970s and 1980s, which left much of the town in ruins.
Joseph Kasirye, an opinion leader in Masaka City, believes the region has been forgotten in the national development agenda.
“Our town was reduced to rubble during the wars government offices, commercial buildings, and homes were destroyed. But unlike other regions such as Northern Uganda, which received recovery and development funds, Masaka has never been prioritised for post-war reconstruction,” Kasirye lamented.
“For 63 years we have waited. Despite our sacrifices, not a single major government industry has been established here. We’ve been left to develop ourselves with very limited support.” He added:
Masaka was once home to one of the country’s strongest cooperative movements, including the Masaka Cooperative Union, which empowered local farmers and boosted the regional economy. However, years of neglect and lack of government support have left these institutions struggling.
As the country reflects on over six decades of independence, Masaka’s residents say it's time for action, not just remembrance.
“We’re not asking for charity,” said Kasirye. “We’re asking for the recognition and investment that reflects our contribution to Uganda’s history. Masaka deserves a fair share of the national cake.”
For many in the region, the hope is that Uganda’s future development plans will finally shine a light on Masaka—a region whose past is deeply intertwined with the country’s freedom, and whose future still hangs in the balance.