Independence Monument — Attraction in Kampala

The Independence monument, along Speke Road, opposite the Standard Chartered bank depicts a mother carrying a child whose hands are raised. The laughing child held by the mother only depicts good health and happiness for Uganda after independence. The monument is a hangout for street kids, beggars, city vagabonds and serves as a red light area at night.

Uganda’s independence era monuments had aspects of both Nkrumah’s imperial grandeur and Nyerere’s modest popular participation and shelter. The Obote Medallion hanging from Independence Arch in front of Parliament recalled the protective father-of-the-nation intended in Ghana’s triumphal arch, although in a more modest, arguably African, functional aesthetic.

Kampala’s 1962 Independence Monument, set in an open park, preceded Tanzania’s monuments of communal reflection and unity rooted in a sturdy past, while also straining toward a hopeful modern future. However, as the historical background of Uganda’s monuments demonstrates, Uganda’s monuments had distinctive characteristics of their own, such as an a-political open competition to design the relatively human-scaled Independence Monument.

As a result, Gregory Maloba, one of the first graduates of Makerere University’s art school, designed Independence Monument with strong elements of ambiguity about both the divided politics of the new nation and the dubious prospects for a united future.

Prime Minister Milton Obote, in no small irony, chose the same sculptor to design a second monument of transcending proportions (Independence Arch), effectively barring access to the new nation’s representative assembly, with a strikingly different message, imposing Obote as the fatherly authority and personal unifier...

The birth of a nation - this is what this monument signifies.

The older woman symbolizes the older Uganda and the bondage around the legs upto the chest is the colonial rule that Uganda was subjected to and then the way the woman is holding up the male child seen to be emerging from the bondage, symbolizes the birth of a nation out of colonialism which is the Uganda of Now represented by the child.

The young Uganda (the child) is seen to be celebrating the freedom gained from colonial rule which was in 9th October 1962.

A must-visit site when in Kampala. It is free to access and conveniently located in the CBD.

Tour by @tembeakampalawalkingtours...

The Independence Monument is more than just a landmark—it's a powerful symbol of Uganda's rich history and journey to freedom. Standing beside it, you can feel the weight of the nation's past and the pride of its people. Each visit has been peaceful, never overcrowded, making it an ideal spot to take in the monument's significance and capture some stunning photos. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or just looking for a meaningful place to explore, the Independence Monument is a must-see...