Songstress Kamanzii (Ruth Kamanzi) delivered a soulful rendition of the Ugandan national anthem at the official launch of the “Sauti Ya Uganda” competition. There are many reasons why we should sing the Uganda National Anthem with Pride COMMENT | NANTEZA SARAH KYOBE | On July 10, 2026, the Government of Uganda, through the Uganda Media Centre and the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, launched the “Sauti Ya Uganda” National Anthem Challenge, a nationwide competition inviting Ugandans to sing both the Uganda National Anthem and the East African Community Anthem. The initiative offers a weekly prize of Sh1 million, culminating in a grand prize of Sh100 million to be awarded on Independence Day 2026.
The competition comes at an opportune time. While many Ugandans can sing the anthem, others know only parts of it, and some just follow along without fully understanding the words. This initiative offers an opportunity not only to celebrate our national identity but also to rediscover the meaning behind the anthem.
I recently witnessed this firsthand with my five-year-old daughter. The first time I heard her confidently sing the first chorus of both the Uganda National Anthem and the East African Community Anthem at home, I was so impressed that I immediately recorded her. At her school, it is customary for pre-primary pupils to lead the singing of the national anthems, including the Buganda anthem, during school functions such as sports days.
As a result, every child is expected to learn them by heart. Seeing my daughter proudly sing these songs filled me with hope. Yet it also raised an important question: Does she truly understand what she is singing?
I have not yet had the opportunity to ask her teacher whether she also explains the meaning of the anthems alongside teaching the words. Knowing the words is important, but understanding them is even more significant. When children grasp the meaning behind the anthem from an early age, they begin to appreciate their country’s history, values, and their own responsibility as citizens.
They grow up knowing that patriotism is not simply about singing a song; it is about living the principles it contains. The Uganda National Anthem, in many ways, is a blueprint for the nation we aspire to build. It speaks of unity, reminding us that despite our diverse tribes, religions, cultures, and re…
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