This archive report was first published on 21 July 2019.
July 20, 1969, marked a historic moment in world history when Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon. Exactly a week later, Pope Paul VI became the first Pontiff to set foot on African soil at Entebbe, Uganda.
As Uganda reflects on its progress over the past 50 years, it's striking to note that several pivotal events occurred in 1969. This was a time when many of today's leaders were already active in politics.
Following the moon landing, a piece of rock brought back by the astronauts was donated to Uganda and slowly driven from the airport to Kampala, where it is likely still kept today.
That same year, Sir Edward Mutesa, the former Kabaka of Buganda, passed away in exile, and land grabbers descended on his property in Kampala city, sparking a long-standing court battle.
Despite learning about American agricultural successes, including the prairies and the Tennessee Valley makeover, Uganda's leaders have failed to apply these lessons to improve the country's soil.
As a result, land-grabbing has become a major issue in Uganda, with the population increasing five to six times since 1969, while agricultural productivity has decreased.
Uganda has aged 59 years since the moon landing, but it appears to have learned less than a 50-minute economics lesson.
