Uganda
Oh Uganda, Land of Beauty
1962
1962
George Wilberforce Kakoma
George Wilberforce Kakoma
🤝 Unity 🕊 Freedom 🌿 Nature ✝ God / Faith ☮ Peace |
Key Facts
- 1. The anthem was selected from over 300 entries in a national competition held before independence, making it one of the most competitively chosen anthems in African history.
- 2. Uganda's anthem is notable for containing no references to war, struggle, or enemies; it focuses entirely on peace, unity, and natural beauty, which is uncommon among post-colonial African anthems.
- 3. The anthem is traditionally performed in English, but unofficial versions exist in Luganda, Luo, and other major Ugandan languages, and some schools teach multilingual renditions.
Lyrics
Oh Uganda! may God uphold thee,
We lay our future in thy hand.
United, free,
For liberty
Together we'll always stand.
Oh Uganda! the land of freedom.
Our love and labour we give,
And with neighbours all
At our country's call
In peace and friendship we'll live.
Oh Uganda! the land that feeds us
By sun and fertile soil grown.
For our own dear land,
We'll always stand:
The Pearl of Africa's Crown.
Oh Uganda! may God uphold thee,
We lay our future in thy hand.
United, free,
For liberty
Together we'll always stand.
Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals
Analysis
EditorialAdopted at independence from Britain in 1962. George Wilberforce Kakoma wrote both the lyrics and the music. Uganda, often called the 'Pearl of Africa' (a phrase attributed to Winston Churchill), is home to Lake Victoria, the source of the Nile, and remarkable biodiversity. The anthem emphasizes peace and friendship with neighbors.