Africa-Press – Uganda. The opposition political party People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) has lashed out at Ugandan government officials for allegedly misusing taxpayers’ money during the annual Heroes Day celebrations, which are taking place today in Lyantonde District.
In a press briefing held at their Katonga Road headquarters this morning, PFF spokesperson Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda questioned the significance of the celebrations, claiming they serve little purpose and are instead used as an excuse to squander public funds.
According to Ssemujju, many of those being honored with medals during the national commemoration are not the true heroes of the country.
He stated that individuals such as Rt. Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye the founder of PFF and a prominent opposition leader currently incarcerated at Luzira Prison deserve recognition for their sacrifices in the struggle for the rights and freedoms of Ugandans.
“It is a shame that people like Besigye, who have stood for justice and democracy in this country, are in prison and are not even allowed basic rights like fellow prisoners, yet government officials award themselves medals and celebrate,” Ssemujju said.
He further criticized the ceremonies as platforms for government elites to justify excessive spending under the guise of patriotism. He argued that the funds used for such events would be better invested in improving essential services like healthcare and education.
Ssemujju also raised concerns over the economic impact of such national holidays, saying they disrupt normal business operations—particularly for cross-border traders—and lead to a loss of revenue for the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), which fails to collect taxes due to the shutdown.
PFF has called for a re-evaluation of how national commemorations are organized and funded, urging the government to prioritize development and the welfare of ordinary citizens over pomp and ceremony.
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