Prof. George Wilberforce Kakoma: Evolution Of The Uganda National Anthem

Prof. George Wilberforce Kakoma, musical composer of Uganda's national anthem

The exact appointment of George Wilberforce Kakoma's nativity is non clear, but it’s believed that he was born betwixt 1923 as well as 1925 inwards the Southern District of Masaka inwards Republic of Uganda as well as is a Muganda past times tribe. Kakoma is credited with composing the national anthem of the Republic of Uganda.

There is something to hold upwards said almost the purpose of a national anthem inwards galvanizing the spirit of a people newly formed equally a nation. This is peculiarly truthful for African nations during the stream of rapid European decolonization. Kakoma's run is an illustration of the powerful purpose of music inwards developing national traditions as well as creating a feel of unity with people from various cultural backgrounds.

From 1894 to 1962, Republic of Uganda was ruled past times Britain, which way it used to hoist the British Union Jack as well as used to sing the British National Anthem. As the combat for independence intensified inwards Uganda, it became clear that the province was going to accomplish independence from the British Colonial masters as well as would demand both a national anthem or a national flag that embodied its independence.

Image of national flag of Uganda

Prior to independence, a subcommittee for the creation of national anthem was set up. It was 1 of the 3 sub-committees established to bargain with Uganda’s national symbols. 

Professor Senteza Kajubi was the chairman of the committees. The sub-committee organized a country-wide publicity travail for original compositions. Ugandans were encouraged to submit their pieces.

“The compositions had to hold upwards short, original, solemn, praising as well as looking forrard to the future,” said Professor Kajubi.

Many people participated inwards the music contest but the commission was non satisfied. Prof. Kajubi decided to seek assist from George Wilberforce Kakoma, thence a renowned inspector of schools as well as a music instructor inwards Masaka District to “save” the commission because they did non convey a national anthem.

Photo: Professor George Wilberforce Kakoma

According to Kakoma, a foreign tune rang continuously inwards his caput at night, disrupting his sleep. He decided to wake upwards as well as seat pen to paper.

“I sat downwards as well as looked through what I had ciphered during the nighttime hours. I worked on those ideas till midday.”

The events leading to the composition of the anthem were summarized inwards the 2008 instance filed past times Prof George William Kakoma, thence a graduate of Trinity College of Music as well as professor at the Durham University inwards London, Prof. George W. Kakoma v. The Attorney General (Civil Suit No.197 Of 2008) [2010] UGHC xl (30 July 2010). Kakoma sued the regime of Republic of Uganda for non rewarding his efforts upwards to the fourth dimension of the instance filing as well as the non payment of royalties arising from the playing of the national anthem. The instance inwards business office provided the following:

1. That early on inwards 1962 an opened upwards contest for the composing of our National Anthem was advertised.
2. That no weather condition were attached to the would-be winning entry.
3. That his was declared the winner.
4. That he was given a token of Shs.2,000/= equally a score of appreciation.
5. That a twelvemonth or 2 later, the regime realizing this was copyright material, wrote bespeak him to give upwards his copyright to them.
6. That he referred the thing to his lawyers who responded as well as wrote dorsum to the Government demanding a fee of 5000 exclusively earlier he could sign off his copyright. That the political turmoil that followed left the thing unsettled until Idi Amin’s regime came to power.
7. That inwards Jan 1975 he went into self-exile with his menage unit of measurement as well as taught at Kenyatta University until NRA regime came to ability inwards 1986, when at that topographic point was the adventure to convey the thing raised again.
8. That the Ministry of Justice took upwards the thing as well as presented a Cabinet Memo which was turned downwards on a flimsy Earth that compensating him would practise a precedent.

The tune was composed past times Prof. Kakoma but the lyrics (or words) were composed past times Peter Wyngard, Kakoma’s personal friend as well as a lecturer at Makerere Institute of Education.

The evolution as well as resolution of this legal instance inwards Uganda's courts also demonstrates of import developments of the application of the dominion of police generally, as well as the recognition of intellectual belongings rights specifically, inwards Uganda.

The National Anthem of Uganda

Oh Republic of Uganda may God uphold thee,

We lay our futurity inwards thy hand,

United gratis for liberty

Together we’ll ever stand.

Oh Republic of Uganda the terra firma of freedom,

Our love as well as labour nosotros give,

And with neighbours all,

At our country’s call

In peace as well as friendship we’ll live

Oh Republic of Uganda the terra firma that feeds us,

By Sun as well as fertile soil grown,

For our ain dearest land,

We shall ever stand,

The pearl of Africa’s crown.

With special thanks, this postal service has been prepared inwards swell business office past times Moses G. Byaruhanga, Esq., Advocate/Attorney at Bar, Shonubi, Musoke & Co. Advocates in Uganda.


(Post note: On Apr 8, 2012, Professor George Wilberforce Kakoma died at the historic stream of 89. He was set to balance inwards his habitation district of Wakiso inwards Uganda)