By Diana N. Kintu
President Yoweri K. Museveni and First Lady Hon. Janet K. Museveni, who also serves as Uganda’s Minister of Education and Sports, held a high-level meeting with student leaders at State House Nakasero, emphasising the critical role of youth in the country’s socio-economic development. The gathering brought together representatives from the Uganda National Students Association (UNSA) and Inter-University Guild Presidents, with the engagement coordinated by Col. Edith Nakalema.
The meeting provided a platform for the government to directly engage with student leaders, highlighting the importance of youth participation in national development. In her opening remarks, the First Lady expressed gratitude to President Museveni for taking the time to address students personally, despite his demanding schedule. She described his guidance as “timely and deeply encouraging,” noting his call for young people to prioritise responsibility over fleeting pleasures.
“President Museveni reminded students that the future of Uganda rests in their hands. He urged them to defend the nation’s sovereignty, promote wealth creation, and advance Pan-African ideals,” Janet Museveni said. She stressed the need for young leaders to embrace principled leadership and avoid being influenced by moral decay, political manipulation, or violence.
Highlighting a shift from previous adversarial interactions between student bodies and the Ministry of Education and Sports, the First Lady praised the maturity displayed during the discussions. “I have been praying and waiting on God for years for UNSA to change, to be transformed, and I knew God would do it. Today, I thank God for what I am witnessing,” she noted.
Col. Nakalema also commended both President and First Lady for engaging the student representatives, pledging her continued support for initiatives aimed at youth empowerment and constructive civic engagement. She emphasised the indispensable role of students as active partners in national development and the advancement of Uganda’s socio-economic agenda.
During the session, Janet Museveni urged universities to focus on producing graduates who not only excel academically but also demonstrate integrity, discipline, and a commitment to community service. “God does not call the qualified; He qualifies those He calls. This generation must rise to serve Uganda with faith, discipline, and integrity,” she remarked. She encouraged students to invest their skills within Uganda and leverage government initiatives, including the Parish Development Model (PDM), to drive local development and national transformation.
The discussion also reflected a renewed spirit of collaboration between the government and student leadership, with both sides affirming their commitment to peaceful, values-driven leadership. By fostering dialogue and engagement, the meeting sought to build trust between institutions and students while nurturing a generation of leaders equipped to tackle Uganda’s contemporary challenges.
The event underscores the government’s ongoing efforts to involve youth in shaping the country’s future. By prioritising moral leadership, economic responsibility, and civic engagement, the President and First Lady aim to cultivate a culture of constructive participation among students, positioning them as key contributors to Uganda’s long-term growth and stability.
The engagement concluded with calls for continued partnership between student leaders and government institutions, signalling optimism that young people will actively contribute to the nation’s development while upholding ethical and patriotic values.