The Independence Monument of Uganda was designed and sculpted by Gregory Magoba and unveiled on 5th October 1962 by Apollo Milton Obote, Uganda’s first Prime Minister after independence. It was designed to commemorate the country's independence on 9th October 1962. It's located along Speke Road and Nile Avenue in Kampala. The concrete sculpture depicts a mother lifting her child towards the sky, metaphorically expressing the birth of a new nation. The young child signifies a new Uganda set free from British colonial rule. This article explores whether the Independence Monument of Uganda responds to the architecture of the place.
Monuments serve as significant channels not only for expression and commemoration of historical events but also to legitimise them. By having a physical presence, monuments make the past tangible and familiar, to connect people to their collective history and shared identity (Steven and Franck, 2016). They integrate historical events into the fabric of a community and its location, creating a sense of ownership and continuity. In essence, monuments transform abstract historical narratives into concrete, relatable experiences, solidifying their place in public consciousness. Ultimately, they cast a sense of authenticity and permanence on the events they represent, influencing how society perceives and remembers its past. However, the Independence Monument of Uganda has turned into a haven for the homeless.
I often admired the Independence Monument of Uganda whenever I passed by Speke Road on my way from town to home. Most times I would catch the view from the taxi window. On this particular morning, I had imagined it would offer the perfect place for a quiet breakfast, away from the chaos of the city. The idea of lounging on the seats, with the monument towering above, seemed like a peaceful escape – a brief moment to savour my snack in a place that represented so much for the nation. However, upon completing the flight of stairs leading to the monument, my initial excitement faded. As I got closer, I noticed a handful of people scattered about the monument while they lay on the seat there. I assumed they were homeless people since they had untidy clothing, and unkept hair and carried their belongings in white sacks. No sooner had I drawn my conclusions than I discarded the idea of sitting there. I paused momentarily, snack in hand, unsure what to do. Disappointment settled like a big weight on my chest. There was no point in staying. The Independence Monument, once a symbol of hope and unity, is now a reminder of something else that morning: a neglected space that no longer welcomed those who came to enjoy it.
Monuments influence social norms, community identity, and collective memory, ultimately becoming public spaces that reflect and shape societal values life (Stevens and Franck, 2016). They attract tourists and foster cultural exchange. Additionally, monuments serve as civic gathering places, hosting community events and celebrations, which promote social cohesion and civic engagement. Furthermore, they provide settings for everyday activities, such as relaxation, recreation, or commuting, integrating history into daily.
As monuments evolve, they transform into public spaces. However, their significance eventually fades, suggesting that urban landscapes and societal values change over time. The role of monuments in defining public spaces and shaping community identity diminishes as well (Debra, 2004). Notably, during the years from when it was unveiled in 1962, the Independence Monument has gone through a series of changes. Firstly, a wall structure was erected to mark the boundary of the Sheraton Hotel. Secondly, in 2012, the wall was revamped with graffiti to represent the tragic events of Uganda's post-colonial history. While in 2020, the letter “M” was included since the country was set to host the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA). Notably, there is an effort to modify the monument to suit a particular celebration/event.
Arguably, the Independence Monument ought to educate the community about the story behind the memory, have a noticeable presence in the urban environment and probably be interactive. These contribute to the success of a monument (Partha, 2013). Given that several historical events have already been documented and memorialised through various media, including museums, literature, television, and film hence erecting the monument comes in handy. Although the situation of Kampala's homeless people is a different societal problem, the fact that this space has developed into a haven for the homeless shows how underutilised it is. The Independence Monument of Uganda was designed to evoke remembrance. And this is compromised when the homeless utilise them for shelter. This unintended use alters the visitor experience, diminishes the monument’s dignity and creates discomfort, potentially causing the site to lose its reverent atmosphere, thereby undermining its primary purpose as a place for reflection and honour.
References
A map of Kampala’s historical buildings and site (2021). Cross Cultural Foundation. Available at: https://crossculturalfoundation.or.ug/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Historical-Buildings-and-Sites-Map-of-Kampala-CCFU_compressed.pdf (Accessed: 10 October 2024).
Debra, M. (2004). Making sense of remembrance, Social & Cultural Geography, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 37-54.
Partha, M. (2013). Monuments and memory for our times, South Asian Studies, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 159-167.
Stevens, Q. and Franck, K. A. (2016). Memorials and as spaces of engagement: design, use and meaning, [Preprint] doi: 10.4324/9781315747002.
The Independent. (2019). Independence monument a complete stranger to a section of Ugandans, The Independent Uganda: Available at: https://www.independent.co.ug/independence-monument-a-complete-stranger-to-a-section-of-ugandans/ (Accessed: 11 October 2024).
About the Author:
Daniel Rwothomio is a Bachelors of Environmental Design student at Uganda Martyrs University
This is an interesting think piece showing the historical significance and memorialisation of a place. It's also good to know that you highlighted how over time, the place and its use has changed. It would have been good to give context, and the relationships the monument has with the environment and what the influence is like. If it attracted the homeless, it would have been insightful to know why - metaphorically and in analogy why/if the monument represents independence today, and if it truly does, what it looks like today.
Ioved this article! It was fascinating to learn the story behind the monument I had seen during my time in Uganda and I appreciated learning its rich history.
Thanks to you Daniel ! Well done
Great content 👍
I love the thoughtful insights in this article, it actually articulates the history of the Uganda since independence and at the same time elevates the social concerns facing the vulnerable persons .Otherwise , it's top
Kudos Mr. Daniel
Very informative article. As I read the article, it was quite moving to know that someone else shares my frustration with not only the space around the independence monument, but most if not all public spaces in this country.
Keep up the good work