Order of Katonga
The Order of Katonga (Swahili: Nishani ya Katonga) is the highest military decoration of the Ugandan Honours System. It is a very rare award that recognises its recipients for extraordinary heroism.[1]
| Order of Katonga | |
|---|---|
| Type | Single grade Order |
| Awarded for | 'extraordinary heroism in the army' |
| Presented by | Uganda |
| Status | Currently constituted |
| First awarded | 2004 |
| Total | 2 |
| Total awarded posthumously | 1 |
Ribbon bar | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | None |
| Next (lower) | Kabalega Star |
History edit
The order is named after the final and decisive battle of the National Resistance Army during the Ugandan Bush War. It was fought near the Katonga River.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni decorated the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on 6 April 2004 in Tripoli, honouring him for his contribution to the National Resistance Army (NRA) bush struggle that liberated Uganda from dictatorship, adding that Colonel Gaddafi has always been at the forefront of the liberation of Africa and unification of the continent.[2]
Museveni also posthumously awarded former Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere in July 2007 at his hometown of Butiama for his assistance in liberating Africa from colonialism in general and Uganda from Idi Amin's rule in particular via the Uganda–Tanzania War. His wife Maria received the award on his behalf.[3]
Recipients edit
| Name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Muammar Gaddafi | Libya | 2nd Head of State of Libya |
| Julius Nyerere | Tanzania | 1st President of Tanzania |
References edit
- ^ "Medals should be cherished". New Vision. 9 June 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
- ^ Grace Naisamura (22 May 2004). "Museveni decorates Qaddaffi". Mail-archive.com. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
- ^ . New Vision. 10 July 2007. Archived from the original on 5 December 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
External links edit
- Photograph of the award ceremony at Haki Ngowi Blog