As Uganda commemorated Heroes Day, former Budiope East parliamentary aspirant and opinion leader David Takozekibi has called on citizens to move beyond celebrating peace alone and actively confront the social and economic challenges affecting their communities.
In a Heroes Day message, Takozekibi said while peace remains a valuable national achievement, it should not be mistaken for development or prosperity.
“Peace is a noble goal, but peace alone has never solved every challenge. There is peaceful poverty, peaceful sickness, peaceful ignorance, and even peaceful death, but none of these are conditions that any society should aspire to,” he said.
Drawing inspiration from the heroes remembered during the national celebrations, Takozekibi noted that Uganda’s liberation heroes are honoured because they confronted the challenges of their time rather than remaining silent in the face of adversity.
“The heroes of Kabamba are remembered not because they chose comfort in difficult times, nor did they choose silence, but because they confronted the challenges before them,” he said.
According to him, progress in any society requires courage, sacrifice and deliberate action.
Takozekibi also referenced biblical figures such as David and Samson, arguing that faith and action often go hand in hand in overcoming challenges.
“David did not defeat Goliath through silence. Samson asked God for one final moment of strength, not silence. Throughout Scripture, men and women of faith faced their battles rather than wished them away,” he noted.
The former parliamentary contestant used the occasion to rally residents of Budiope behind what he described as the vision of “Kutereza Budiope” and “Budiope Gyetwenda,” calling for collective action against poverty, disease, ignorance, injustice and political intimidation.
“Our call to Kutereza Budiope and achieve Budiope Gyetwenda is not a call to conflict, but neither is it a call to surrender,” he said.
He urged citizens to speak out against societal challenges and work together to improve the welfare of their communities.
“A better Budiope will not emerge from silence, fear, or wishful thinking. It will be built by citizens willing to speak the truth, defend what is right, and work together for the common good,” he added.
Takozekibi concluded his message with a call for active citizenship, saying meaningful change often comes from those willing to engage with challenges rather than observe from the sidelines.
“Calm waters do not make skilled sailors, and history rarely remembers those who watched from the shore,” he said.
His remarks come as leaders across the country reflect on the significance of Heroes Day, which honours individuals whose contributions and sacrifices have shaped Uganda’s history and development.
