President Yoweri Museveni has urged Ugandans to document their personal experiences and the country’s history, saying such accounts are essential in preserving the lessons, struggles and sacrifices of previous generations.Museveni made the call during the launch of Soldier of Faith, the autobiography of the late Lt. Col. George Wilson Kamya, held on Friday evening in Kololo, Kampala.
His message was delivered by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, who represented him at the event.Lt. Col. Kamya, who died in 1993, was the father of former Minister and Inspector General of Government Beti Kamya, who currently serves as a Senior Presidential Advisor. Museveni described the autobiography as an honest and moving account of Kamya’s life and said such books give future generations an opportunity to understand the events and circumstances that shaped Uganda.The President said autobiographies written by people who personally experienced important historical moments should not be viewed as acts of self-praise. Instead, he described them as a responsibility to future generations, warning that valuable experiences can disappear if they are not recorded.
He said documenting individual lives would help preserve Uganda’s history for many years to come.Museveni said Soldier of Faith also provides an insight into the principles that influenced Uganda’s liberation struggle, including discipline, ideological clarity, Pan-Africanism and the aspirations of ordinary people. He connected these ideas to the principles associated with the National Resistance Movement, particularly patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation and democracy.Tayebwa, who said he had personally read the autobiography, highlighted Kamya’s ability to navigate different cultural, national and political environments without losing his identity.
He said the former officer’s life provides an important lesson for modern Ugandans who increasingly travel, study and work in different parts of the world.The Deputy Speaker also praised Kamya for demonstrating that faith and professional responsibility can exist together. He argued that religious conviction should not be mistaken for weakness, saying faith and prayer can instead provide stability and guidance to people serving in demanding positions.
Tayebwa further praised Kamya for investing in his children’s education and family, saying his legacy continued through the foundation he left behind.Tayebwa concluded by using Kamya’s life story to challenge politics based on ethnicity, religion and nationality. He said the late officer’s experiences across different countries and cultures demonstrated that people can maintain their identity while embracing diversity. He urged Ugandans to reject divisive identity politics and instead draw lessons from stories such as Kamya’s to build a more united society.
