Preparations in high gear as historic trek nears

The Trek organised by the NRA Archives Unit comes 20 years after the President did the same trek in 1999

President Yoweri Museveni’s trek through the seven districts of Wakiso, Nakaseke, Mityana, Kiboga, Kasandha, Mubende and Kakumiro has now been brought forward to January 4 and will take six days as more campsites and routes that the National Resistance Army fighters used during the liberation struggle are included.

Museveni who will lead veterans, youth (bazzukulu) and well-wishers in a symbolic trek from Garamba in Wakiso district to Birembo in Kibaale district will now camp at 8 sites to celebrate the freedom fighters' heroic sacrifices for patriotism.

The historic trek code-named 'Africa Kwetu' is now set to start on Saturday and will last 6 days and has grown to cover almost 195km.

During breaks at the various campsites, the President and other veterans will address the trekkers about Uganda’s liberation journey with emphasis on the role of various organisations including the Front for National Salvation (FRONASA) and the National Resistance Movement.

The Ministry of Health has deployed various doctors at 8 halt/health-break centres along the route.

According to David Kayongo representing the Ministry of Health, trekkers are urged to take extra care of their health and hygiene especially during the campsite interactions.

“We have put measures in place to handle emergencies and have deployed doctors. We urge the public to take care especially avoiding body contacts since there will be a lot of sweating. People with diabetes or hypertension should be cautious and take it slow,” he said.

The trek organised by the NRA Archives Unit and headed by the President’s senior advisor/NRA, Alice Kaboyo, comes 20 years after Museveni did the same trek in 1999.

The trek will culminate into the building a historic NRA Museum at Kanyara in Nakaseke district.

Kaboyo described the Africa Kwetu trek as crucial for the education of those Ugandans Museveni fondly describes as his bazzukulu.

"The foot-slogging will give them a tiny hint of what the freedom fighters actually endured, while the real-life experiences narrated by the war heroes trekking with the bazzukulu will complete the epic," Kaboyo explained.

Various individuals and corporate organisations from around the country have already registered for the trek that will involve various war veterans.

This piece was first published in the New Vision.