July 16th 2023.
President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda recently issued an apology to the descendants of enslaved Africans for Uganda's role in the Transatlantic slave trade. In a news clip posted by the African Diaspora New Channel, the nation's leader expressed his deep regret for the country's actions during this time.
Uganda participated in the selling of its own people, a fact that is not often discussed, but occurred nonetheless. In the clip, President Museveni expressed his sincere remorse and asked for forgiveness on behalf of all African leaders, both present and past.
"We come in humility and brokenness to repent for the sins of leaders in Africa," Museveni said. "And in particular, the sin of selling our own brothers and sisters into slavery. This grave sin brought untold pain and misery towards millions of people of African descent, and judgement to the African people who remain on the continent. And today, we ask for forgiveness."
The video, released on the news channel's YouTube, has garnered over 40,000 views since its posting on July 9.
The African slave trade began in the 16th century and lasted for centuries before it slowed down in the late 1860s. But even so, the effects of slavery still linger and cause harm to the descendants of those who were forced into bondage.
This official recognition from Uganda of its involvement in the slave trade, along with other nations who have done the same, may encourage other African nations with a history of slavery to formally apologize as well. This acknowledgement is a step in the right direction for further relief for the Black diaspora.
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