26 NEW VISION, Wednesday June 8, 2016 FEATURE

As Heroes Day approaches, many look forward to being honoured . Not only the soldiers,

but also the common man who has stood out in different activities for the country.

Awarding medals, how it started SELECTION By Joshua Kato

When Ugandans gather to Names received celebrate Heroes Day tomorrow ACCORDING to at Ssii in Buikwe district, Businge, the Chancery around 600 Ugandans will from time to time be awarded medals, for their receives names from contribution to the struggle and various ministries, the development of . departments, agencies Having started the practice of and individuals with a awarding medals in 2005, this write-up giving reasons will be the eleventh year. to justify the proposed Since awarding medals award. started, about 13,991 individuals have been awarded in different categories. Submission According to Businge Amooti, The Chancery then the chancellor of the Presidential submits the names to Awards Committee, awardees Presidential Awards are chosen from all over the Committee for country and from among discussion, selection distinguished regional leaders. and recommendation Among the regional leaders to the President. to get medals include Daniel arap Moi, the former president Approval of Kenya and the late of . The medallists are The fact that only selected then approved by individuals receive medals the President, either makes the exercise special. acting on his own “One receives national initiative or based on recognition by the Head of President Museveni takes a group photo with national award winners in 2013 recommendations. State. Uganda has 35 million “The nominees come people and if only 10,000 through various people receive the medals, isn’t Civilian decorations sources. Our role that special?” wonders General and medals: is to scrutinise by  Elly Tumwine, chairman of the 1986 The Most Excellent of carrying out due National Awards Committee. the Pearl of Africa (The Grand diligence before they Initially medals were only When the National Master): For heads of state are confirmed for awarded to fighters of the Resistance Army and heads of government. awarding,” Businge  various revolutionary wars. (NRA) captured power The Excellent Order of the said. When the National Resistance in 1986, the President, Pearl of Africa (The Grand Army (NRA) captured power and Commander): For heads in 1986, the President, Yoweri the High Command of state’s spouses, vice- After crossing Katonga, the Museveni and the High birthed the idea of presidents and crown princes war was over,” Gen. Tumwine Command birthed the idea of giving out medals. and princesses. says. giving medals to fighters and The Distinguished Order The Kabalega Star (Classes civilian supporters. of The Nile (Classes I-V): I-III). The second highest “They wanted something that Those who distinguished award. went beyond an army rank, 1995 themselves in productive, The Rwenzori Star (Classes for soldiers. This is when the The medals were research, economic, social I-III): It is the third highest idea of awarding medals was purchased as early as and cultural enterprises. award. Under exceptional conceived,” Businge says. 1995. However, the The Distinguished Order of circumstances, it may be The medals were purchased awards required an the Crested Crane (Classes awarded to a non-military in 1995, however, the awards enabling law before I-V): Those who have person. required an enabling law they could be given distinguished themselves The Masaba Star: This is before they would be given out. out. in leadership and service, the fourth highest award. According to Businge, the public or private. For those with same National Honours and Awards The National Independence circumstances as the Act was enacted in 2001 and 2005 Medal: Civilian activists that Kabalega Star decoration, but accented to by the President in The National Honours championed and significantly where the gallantry is not as 2005. and Awards Act was contributed to the struggle conspicuous. The Act provided for the enacted in 2001 and for independence and those The Damu Medal: For any creation of the Presidential accented to by the that have continued to protect member of the military Awards Committee (PAC), President in 2005. Uganda’s independence. who was or is wounded recognition and conferment in action or any member of titles of honour, decoration, The Nalubaale Medal killed during the liberation medals, awards and orders, the Civilian activists who struggles. establishment of the Chancery Award days contributed towards the The Luwero Triangle Medal: for the custody of awards and The medals are awarded political development of Set aside to recognise the to provide for other related mainly on national public Uganda either through climax of the armed struggles, matters. days. These include, Liberation armed struggle or civilian it goes to the military who In 2007, the President Day (January 26), Tarehe Sita disobedience or otherwise from fought dictatorships in appointed the Presidential (February 6), International colonial times to-date. Uganda and civilians that Awards Committee, but Women’s Day (March 8), worked closely with them. it lacked a chancellor/ Labour Day (May 1), Heroes Military decorations The Kagera Medal: Those, secretary. When Businge was Day (June 9) and Independence revolutionary wars and medals nationals or foreigners, who appointed in August 2008, Day (October 9). The Order of Katonga: The fought dictatorship between the awarding then kicked Tony Geoffrey Owana, a However, some awardees during one of the award highest and most rarely 1971 and 1979. off. veteran journalist who got a think the medal should be ceremonies, the President awarded military decoration, The Order of Lukaya: Same According to Gen. Elly medal in Tororo in 2013 says accompanied by a financial hinted at accompanying a in recognition of individual circumstances as Kagera Tumwine, the medal should the medal is worthy celebrating. reward. financial recognition in future. extraordinary heroism in the medal, but with emphasis on be won at national or any other “To be selected from millions “Yes it is good, but it should army. “Order of Katonga is the 1979 battle at Lukaya. functions. During national of Ugandans to receive an be accompanied with some The awards because that was a decisive The Kyoga Medal: functions, an awardee who award is not a small issue. financial recognition too,” According to Gen. Tumwine, battle that signified the Those who fought and is wearing the medal is easily That is why I am proud of my one of the awardees in Tororo the category of medals awarded final victory of the NRA as defeated insurgencies in recognised. medal,” he said. said. However, while speaking include: it fought to capture power. Uganda.