Uganda

We Sound the Drum of Freedom

From a land of red dust and breathtaking sunrise
The source of the Nile whose endless tail carves unending stories of resilience and hope

We sound the drum of freedom
For the silent whose spirit remains unbroken
For the unnamed, mistaken for the unexistent
For the innocent souls chocked by chains of oppression.

We sound the drum of freedom
For the young minds whose classrooms have degenerated into battlefields,
And forced to carry more than their dreams for a better future,
Guns too heavy for their bruised and beaten palms.
The remnants of a robbed childhood
Trudging an endless path of violence
Mere pawns in their game.

We sound the drum of freedom
For the refugees drifting through a cobweb of borders
Who, like feathers, are tossed and turned by the waves and waters.
For communities whose wells were poisoned by greed
For the suppressed activist still holding onto their creed
Upheld by a global solidarity unbroken by hateful rhetoric
The sound of this drum remains our topic
So, we sound the drum of freedom

Percy C Mpindi

Readers Note

Percy Christopher Mpindi is a distinguished alumnus of the ISHR Ambassador Program, graduating as part of the 2024 cohort. Renowned for his innovative approach to human rights advocacy, Percy is not only an advocate but also an artist whose work powerfully blends poetry with the pursuit of societal justice. His unique ability to convey complex human rights issues through art has earned him widespread acclaim within the ISHR Ambassador Program and beyond.

Percy’s impact was notably highlighted when he opened a recent gathering with a heartfelt performance of his poem, “We Sound the Drum of Freedom.” Written specifically for the event, the poem set a moving and inspiring tone, leaving a lasting impression on all those in attendance. Through his work, Percy continues to demonstrate the profound power of art as a tool for advocacy and social change, positioning him as a leading voice in the integration of creativity and human rights.