The Uganda People’s Congress party has said that whereas this year’s Heroes’ Day theme, “Hail our Heroes, a Secure Uganda is Now Reality,” implies that Uganda is safe, Uganda still has a long way to go to be secure.

These statements were made during the party’s weekly press release on June 5, 2024, at the party headquarters in Uganda House, Kampala.

The party spokesperson, Sharon Arach Oyat, stated that a secure Uganda cannot be a reality when Ugandans are limping in poverty, stating that social welfare programmes like Emyooga and Operation Wealth Creation, among others, have failed.

“The government comes up with these welfare programmes for the citizens, but on the contrary, it is its government officials who benefit more through corruption, leaving the citizens in dire poverty. As a country, we need to refocus and place the interests of citizens at heart first to achieve a secure Uganda,” Arach said.

The spokesperson also added that Uganda cannot be secure when there is industrial unrest like traders strikes, teachers strikes, and medical personnel strikes; social services like education and health are on a high decline; and unfair taxation policies have led to the collapse of businesses amid this weak economy.

“The country is upside down right now, with strikes happening week in and week out. Hospitals do not have medicine, while school-quality education is on the decline. The government should facilitate effectively and establish more schools and hospitals, as well as ensure equal access to opportunities. That is when a secure Uganda can be a reality, as opposed to what is at hand today,” she added.

The UPC urged the government to come together, work for a common cause, and promote the interests of Ugandans to achieve the key objectives of this year’s Heroes’ Day theme.