President Paul Kagame yesterday joined other Heads of State in celebrations to mark Uganda’s 50 years of independence.The celebrations were in commemoration of the day in 1962 when the Union Jack was lowered and the Ugandan flag raised officially declaring the country independent.Joy and style filled the Kololo Independence grounds in Kampala where the function took place.Heads of State present at the function included those from Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC), Burundi, Benin, Kenya, Somalia, Egypt, South Sudan, and Botswana.Other foreign dignitaries included Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, who represented Her Majesty the Queen, Elizabeth II, at the ceremony and His Highness the Aga Khan.Thousands of Ugandans were treated to a spectacular display of fighter jets, cultural performances and a gospel show by Judy Jacobs, a renowned American gospel artiste.President Yoweri Museveni said that Uganda was now on a steady path to attaining First World status in the next fifty years due its outstanding efforts in developing key sectors like energy, infrastructure, education and agriculture."The army is now more patriotic in nature, with a pro-people attitude and as disciplined as nuns,” he said.The president also presided over a hoisting moment of the Uganda flag as the Uganda national anthem played in the background.Major Kenneth Akirimo, the man who raised the Ugandan flag in 1962, was invited to greet the jubilating crowds.