Uganda’s ruling Party the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has mourned Zambia's founding father, Dr Kenneth Kaunda who died on Thursday at the age of 97.
Kenneth David Kaunda also known as KK was a Zambian politician who served as the first President of Zambia from 1964 to 1991. He was at the forefront of the struggle for independence from British rule. Dissatisfied with Harry Nkumbula's leadership of the Northern Rhodesian African National Congress, he broke away and founded the Zambian African National Congress, later becoming the head of the United National Independence Party (UNIP). He was the first President of the independent Zambia.
While in power, Kaunda hosted many of the movements fighting for independence or Black equality in other countries around the continent, standing up to white minority rule in countries such as Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe.
The NRM Director Information & Public Relations Hon Emmanuel Lumala Dombo conveyed NRM’s condolence message which reads as follows:
The NRM has learned with shock and sadness about the death of the founding father of Zambia, former President Kenneth Kaunda. His departure marks and perhaps underscores the passing of an Era. I believe he may be the last of the African Independence leaders who fought tooth and nail to free Africa from the bondage of colonialism.
However, he like the rest of his compatriots struggled with the complexities of neo-colonialism and its agents. The dream and arnest desire to attain true economic freedom and meaningful development and advancement of African citizenry eluded him, much like the rest of his compatriots and successors.
The NRM is still grappling with this battle, scoring one little success after another. As we go about our business in helping Ugandans attain middle income status and beyond, let's for one moment remember this iconic brother and father in the struggle who was one of those that led the way.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
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