A significant change came when the parade, unlike in previous years, was concluded before the commencement of other formalities.
BUSIA | The Commander in Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, General Yoweri Museveni has hailed the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) for implementing new changes in the command of the national parade.
CDF Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who spent the last three days in Busia to personally oversee the armed forces parade preparations, did away with several formalities to ring in new changes that impressed the President.
t 62nd Independence Day celebrations held at Busikho Primary Teachers’ College in Busia District, the members of the armed forces in the parade did not have to stand guard all through the ceremony.
In 2007, then Major Felix Kulayigye joked with journalists in Kololo during Independence Day celebrations that despite his obvious beer belly, he was fit enough to not only command the parade but also execute perfect Goose steps during the pass-by the flag.
On the day, the parade commanded by then Colonel Peter Elwelu, had a torrid time in the noon heat, with Elwelu himself going stiff and collapsing as President Museveni gave his address.
The President momentarily stopped speaking as the Regimental Police stretchered Elwelu off. He then allowed the parade to ease their bodies by moving for a bit before they again stood at attention for him to resume the speech.
It would have been difficult to see a Defence spokesperson or even a deputy commanding the parade but it happened today, seventeen years after that incident and Kulayigye’s joke.
This time round, it was Kulayigye’s deputy, Colonel Deo Akiiki, at the attention.
The 62nd Independence Day event, under the theme, “A Recommitment to Secure and Fortify Our Destiny”, marked a departure from tradition.
Notably, the UPDF half of the parade donned Type 66 combat helmets (a variant of M1 helmets) instead of the usual berets or caps.
A significant change came when the parade, unlike in previous years, was concluded before the commencement of other formalities.
In the past, the parade would stand throughout the event, performing precise marching maneuvers after the national anthems and various performances.
However, this year, Col Akiiki dismissed the troops after the national anthems, with the command: “Mwili legeza, Mheshimiwa Rais, huo ndio mwisho wa gwaride,” which translates to “At ease, Your Excellency, that is the end of the parade.”
President Museveni, while addressing the gathering, praised the CDF for this new arrangement.
“I want to thank the army for the new arrangement of the parade and thank Gen. Muhoozi, the CDF,” Museveni said.
“You do not have to keep on the ground, that was a system from our brothers, but I am happy we have started our own. The parade doesn’t have to keep standing.”
Traditionally, the parade, consisting of officers from the UPDF, Police, Prisons, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Special Forces Command (SFC), and the band, would remain in position for long periods, often enduring harsh weather conditions.
President Museveni’s remarks suggest that this long-standing practice may be reconsidered in future national events.
The celebrations concluded with only the band performing the national anthems and marching off after the departure of the two presidents—Uganda’s President Museveni and his counterpart from the Central African Republic, Faustin-Archange Touadéra.
