the experiences of the 1970s and early 1980s, which were characterized by turbulence and economic hardships, the bank of uganda nevertheless contributed significantly towards the achievement of several national economic goals, while upholding its mission of fostering price stability and a sound financial system, which you will all agree with me, have been achieved. these achievements should give a cause to celebrate. as a “ pillar of the economy ”, it is gratifying for me to note that the bank of uganda has credibly delivered on its mandate and assisted towards the maintenance of a sound economy in uganda. this, of course, has not come about without its challenges. it is now my pleasure to invite the hon. minister of finance, planning & economic development to give his remarks and later invite his excellency to officially open this exhibition to the public, launch the book by prof mutibwa, release our commemorative coin, give awards bou ’ s best staff performers and winners of the essay competition for primary schools.

caleb m fundanga : corporate social responsibility in zambia speech by dr caleb m fundanga, governor of the bank of zambia, at the launch of the mukuyu tree ( slave tree ), kabwe, 23 december 2006. * * * • the provincial minister of central province • hon. sydney chisanga, mp • hon. rev. gladys nyirongo, mp, minister of lands • hon. kakusa, mp • your worship, the mayor of kabwe, mr richard yumbe • the deputy mayor of kabwe, mr edward phiri • the town clerk, mrs vivian chikoti • distinguished invited guests • ladies and gentlemen a very good afternoon to you all. it gives me immense pleasure to be here this afternoon in the town of kabwe, which also happens to be the place in which i spent my childhood. as you are aware, we are here to celebrate the occasion of the lighting of the legendary mukuyu tree, popularly known as the slave tree. for many of you kabwe residents present here, especially our senior citizens, this tree rekindles many happy memories of joyous occasions such as christmas, independence day and labour day, when the tree would shine brightly after being adorned with beautiful multi - fluorescent lights for all to admire. the mukuyu tree is one of zambia ’ s national monuments. its history spans more than a century of being part of the lives of the community in this area. ladies and gentlemen, this historic monument invokes memories of a sad but important aspect in our beautiful country ’ s history. this experience, unfortunately, did not only affect us here, but the whole continent and beyond, touching lives far and wide. i am referring to the infamous slave trade era. historians, time and again, narrate to us tales of how this wonderful tree was used as the resting place for our forefathers, who were captured into slavery as they were marched across this land, being traded as commodities from africa to far away lands. it is now common knowledge, rather than myth, that our fore - fathers were being traded under this same spot on which we stand today, proud and free. after the abolition of the slave trade, the tree attained a new significance as a “ rendevous ” or meeting place. it was from under this very tree that some of our fore - fathers were recruited and taken to fight in the first and second world wars. as mentioned earlier, later