President Yoweri Museveni has hailed Lt. Col. George Wilson Kamya’s autobiography, Soldier of Faith, father of former minister and IGG Beti Kamya as an important record of Uganda’s liberation history, saying documenting personal experiences is essential to preserving the country’s story for future generations.
In a speech delivered by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa at the book launch at Kololo on Friday evening, Museveni said the autobiography offers an honest account of Kamya’s experiences and provides insight into the discipline, ideological clarity, Pan-African spirit and aspirations that shaped Uganda’s liberation struggle.
Museveni described the book as a “deeply moving and profoundly honest autobiography”, saying soldiers who document their experiences are performing a duty to history by ensuring that the sacrifices of those who fought for freedom are not forgotten.
“When a soldier sits down to write their autobiography, it isn’t an act of self-praise, it is an act of duty,” Museveni said.
He added that Uganda and Africa’s history would be better preserved if more people documented their life stories.
“The story of Africa and the story of Uganda will be preserved for generations, if we document our life stories,” he said.
Museveni said Soldier of Faith also takes readers back to the principles that guided the National Resistance Movement’s liberation struggle, including patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation and democracy.
He said patriotism should promote unity within Uganda for prosperity and security, while Pan-Africanism should advance greater unity across East Africa and the continent to strengthen economic opportunities and strategic security.
Tayebwa said he had read the autobiography and was struck by Kamya’s ability to navigate different cultures, countries and political periods without losing his identity.
“I found Lt. Col. Kamya in the book as a man who walks through four cultures, three countries, and several political eras, but never lost his footing,” Tayebwa said.
He said the book offers important lessons on the relationship between faith and service, arguing that religious belief can strengthen rather than undermine a person serving in a position of responsibility.
“An officer who prays is not a weak soldier, but rather is often a steadier one,” Tayebwa said.
Tayebwa also highlighted the importance Kamya placed on family, saying a person’s legacy can continue through the foundation they build for their children.
“It also reminds us that life is not finished when the body is laid down. Our mission can still be accomplished when we leave behind a strong foundation for our family. We must invest in our families,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker further used Kamya’s life story to speak against identity-based politics, saying his experiences across countries and cultures demonstrate the importance of looking beyond ethnicity, nationality and religion.
