History has always been a compass for the future. Across cultures, the present is woven from the threads of the past; our religion, customs, values and traditions all rooted in history. A strong past often lays the foundation for a strong future; the reverse, too, can be true.
In Africa, this truth is particularly vivid. Identity itself is inseparable from history, shaping how people see themselves and their place in the world. Perhaps this is why Pan-Africanists continue to resist imperialism in all its forms: the fight is not only about sovereignty, but also about preserving heritage and protecting the continent’s future.
It was against this backdrop that I embarked on a 21-day visit to Egypt, part of a training programme that brought together 23 African journalists. Beyond classroom sessions, the programme offered an opportunity to explore Cairo’s unique blend of ancient wonders and modern marvels.
At the top of everyone’s wish list? The Pyramids.
‘I hope we’re going to have a trip to the pyramids,’ one colleague whispered hopefully before our schedule was unveiled.
Over lunch, we sat huddled around tables, eager yet tentative in our conversations. But when someone mentioned the pyramids, the energy shifted. Faces lit up, voices grew animated, and I realised in that moment: the pyramids are not just a tourist attraction. They are Egypt’s very identity, a symbol that resonates far beyond its borders.
Back home, the moment I announced my arrival in Egypt, friends urged me to make time for the pyramids of Giza. I had already planned for the visit before leaving Uganda, unaware that the organisers of our programme had arranged it for us.
Colossal structureStanding before the pyramids, I could not help but think of my mother land Uganda remains different in purpose, yet similar in their grandeur and architectural genius. And the journey did not end at Giza.
In Alexandria, our journey took us to the Citadel of Qaitbay, a fortress where the Mediterranean Sea brushes the shore. Built in the 15th century in classic Mamluk style, with imposing limestone walls, the citadel once stood as a bulwark against invading forces.
Despite my usual claustrophobia, I wandered through its narrow passages and stone chambers, struck by the sheer weight of history pressed into every wall.
But Egypt’s story is not only about the past, it is written into its architecture. From residential blocks to commercial hubs and grand monuments, one thing is clear: Egyptians have always built big.
‘Is there anything like a small structure in Egypt?’ I wondered aloud.
Cairo home to an estimated 23 million people squeezed into just 453 square kilometers, is one of the world’s most densely populated cities. Its streets pulse with life around the clock, a city that never truly sleeps.
‘We made sure our people have apartments to reside in,’ explained Ambassador Mohamed Hegazi during our visit to the Organization of African Cities in Cairo. Those high-rise apartments, we realized, were not built as symbols of grandeur but as practical answers to population pressure.
It was in discussions about Egypt’s Vision 2030 that I saw familiar ambitions reflected back at me.
Uganda too, has spoken of smart cities as part of Vision 2040, the country had put in place a number of interventions aimed at re-imagining urbanisation, including legislation, integrated physical planning and strict development control for of urban sprawling, adopting well-planned, high-density settlement for Kampala and medium-density settlement for the regional and strategic cities through construction of high-rise buildings.
In Egypt, that vision has already given birth to New Cairo a modern administrative capital that stands in bold contrast to the historic city, yet remains tied to its identity.
Yet even in its modernity, New Cairo carries the spirit of identity. The city’s architecture, while sleek and contemporary, draws symbolic connections to Egypt’s past. The skyline may be new, but it echoes the grandeur of ancient design.
One of its crown jewels is the Al-Fattah Al-Alim Mosque, a stunning piece of Islamic architecture that could rival the world’s finest hotels. With its vast dome, towering minarets and golden chandeliers glittering inside, the mosque is both a Centre of worship and a magnet for visitors.
Outside, street vendors offered handmade crafts, their stalls a reminder that tradition endures alongside modern development. I bought a bag all covered with the ancient history a piece of Egypt to take home.
Just a short distance away, the country’s largest Roman Catholic cathedral rises into the sky, underscoring Egypt’s religious diversity and the coexistence of Islam and Christianity.
New Cairo offered a striking contrast to the historic capital a city alive with commerce and modernity yet anchored by clear purpose.
‘New Cairo is our smart city, designed for administration,’ explained Ambassador Hegazi.
‘We have streets for banks, streets for embassies, and many other administrative functions. We also have villas, which are modern residences for our people. The project began in 2017 and is now fully operational.’
A few days before our departure, we gathered on a rooftop bar along the Nile, the moment I decided as journalist to do something because I had come to the realization that Africa had great potential ‘Africa has great potential, and amazing things are happening in Africa as journalists, we need to amplify our stories against white hegemony.’
This decision sealing the collective lesson from the 61st training course for young African journalists: that Africa’s future lies in progress, but progress rooted firmly in its identity.