SCHOOL
Iganga Boys’ Boarding Primary School
COUNTRY
Uganda
CLASS
Primary Five
SUBJECT
Social Studies
THEME
Living Together In Our Country
TOPIC
Uganda As A Nation
SUB-TOPIC
Symbols of Uganda as a Nation
o Uganda National Flag
o Uganda National Anthem
INTERDISCIPLINARY CONNECTIONS
Integrated Science
Integrated Production Skills
DURATION
2 lessons of 40-minutes each (60 minutes)
OVERVIEW OF LESSON PLAN
Learners will identify the various symbols of Uganda as Nation and their significance
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Learners should be able to:
1) Describe all the symbols of Uganda a Nation
2) State the significance of each of the symbols as Nation
3) Make models symbols of Uganda where applicable
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
1) A chart with the symbols of Uganda
2) Models and samples of symbols of Uganda
3) Picture or photographs of each of the symbols
CONTENT
UGANDA AS A NATION
Start by explaining to the pupil what a nation is:
A Nation is a group of people living together with a common boundary, descent, leadership,
cultural-background and constitution.
Provide a brief history of Uganda as a Nation:
Before independence, there was no nation called Uganda. There were many independent
kingdoms and chiefdoms. So, Uganda only became a nation after the coming of the
colonialists. The kingdoms and chiefdoms were brought under one central government of
which all people of Uganda feel united.
National Symbols of Uganda
Because of the different cultures in our country, the government works hard to promote
national unity. Unity provides a sense of belonging and identity.
Uganda as a nation, therefore, has a uniform defence and history. There are also national
attributes or symbols that strengthen our national unity.
These are:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
The National Anthem.
The National Flag.
The Coat of Arms.
The Parliament
The National Currency.
The National Map.
Official Language
The National Constitution.
The National Capital city.
Let the pupils know at this point that for purposes of the lesson, only the Uganda National
Anthem and National Flag will be studies. Confirm to them that in the next few days other
symbols will be studies too. Pupils must therefore know 9 symbols or attributes of Uganda
as a Nation.
Importance of the Symbols of Uganda As A Nation
Uganda National Anthem
It is the Uganda’s National song. A Ugandan musician called Prof.George William Kakoma
composed it. A British called Wingard assisted him and solfa notated the song. The Uganda
National Anthem has a special message for all the people of Uganda. It was officially sung
for the first time on 9th October 1962 the day Uganda attained her independence from the
British colonial masters.
The Uganda National Anthem has got three parts called stanzas. Each stanza has a specific
message to the people of Uganda.
Ugandans give respect to their National Anthem by:
i. By standing up straight when it is being sung.
ii. By putting up the right-hand in case one is sick, lame and unable to stand.
When is each stanza sung?
Explain the standard rule that govern the singing of the different stanzas of the National
Anthem:
1) The first stanza is sung when the president is not around, for example on official
ceremonies, on school assemblies, etc.
2) The first two stanzas are sung when the president is around, for example when he is
attending the function.
3) All the three stanzas are sung after the president has been sworn-in and given the
instruments of power. They are also sung at the burial ceremony of the president.
The Uganda National Anthem
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 shall always stand,
The pearl of Africa’s crown
The Uganda National Flag
Interpretation
How and when the flag is used
From 1894 to 1962, Uganda was ruled by Britain, thus, it used to hoist the British Union
Jack. This was later replaced by our national flag, which was first flown on the day Uganda
become independent, 9th October 1962.
The flag promotes the spirit of national unity. It has six horizontal stripes of equal widths
composed of three colours, with a central white circle in which there is a crested crane. The
must always fly with this bird (crested crane) facing the flagpole.
The late Grace Ibingira, assisted by Paul Mukasa designed the Uganda Flag.
Uganda National Flag
Interpretation of the features on the Uganda Flag
i)
Black: This signifies the Africa’s identity. It represents Uganda as a black African
country.
ii)
Yellow: This signifies the tropical climate of Uganda. It represents the sunshine
that Uganda experiences throughout the year.
iii)
Red: This signifies international brotherhood. It shows that all people have the same
colour of blood and that makes them brothers and sisters.
iv)
The Crested Crane: this bird was chosen to be the National Emblem of Uganda. It
symbolizes the nature and character of the people of Uganda, which is graceful and
gentle.
v)
The folded leg of the crested crane shows that Uganda is still developing.
How and when the Uganda flag is used
i)
It should be flown at all Government offices in the country during working hours.
ii)
It should be flown at all Uganda’s Foreign Missions office i.e. offices of Uganda’s
Ambassadors and High Commissioners.
iii)
It should be carried by all Uganda’s representatives at all in international events e.g.
at the Common Wealth Games, Olympic games, All Africa Games etc.
iv)
It should be flown in all important place weather private or public, for example at
hospitals, schools, banks, hotels etc.
v)
It should be hoisted during national days and when there is a visiting Head of State.
vi)
It should be flown at half-mast during national mourning days i.e. the death of a
Mufti, Cardinal, Archbishop, minister, etc.
vii)
It should not be used for clothes or beddings.
NB. All citizens of Uganda are expected to honour/respect the National Flag when it is
flying.
ASSESSMENT
1) Who composed the Uganda National Anthem?
2) How many stanzas are found in the Uganda National Anthem?
3) Who designed the Uganda National Flag?
4) When do we only sing the first stanza of the Uganda National Anthem?
5) When was the Uganda National flag first hoisted?
6) State the colours found on the Uganda National Flag
7) State 3 events when the Uganda National Flag is hoisted
SMALL GROUP ASSIGNMENT
Using the local materials, make a model of Uganda National Flag
REFERENCES
1) A New Primary Social Studies for Uganda Revised and Updated Pupil’s Book 5
2) MK Standard Social Studies Pupil’s Book 5
3) More basic facts and Information about Uganda, please visit the following websites:
www.ugandaembassy.com
http://www.visituganda.com/uganda/images_of/index.htm
http://www.ugandamission.net/aboutug/graphics/symbols.html
http://www.busogachurchesofchrist.com/uganda-quick-facts.htm
NOTES AND SUGGESTIONS
It is advisable that before a teacher handles this lesson, he/ she needs to have taught the
learners the meaning of term symbol and name symbols of groups of people, local
organisations, etc. For example symbols representing: Islam, Christianity, Scouts, Schools,
Red Cross, etc.
Help learners to differentiate or compare the terms: State, Nation and Republic.
AUTHORS
JOSEPH WABWIRE: josephwabwire@yahoo.com
MOSES-DAN KABIREDI: mdkabiteacher@yahoo.com
PAUL MUSANA