By Caroline Nakire
All Senior Six leavers will undergo a six-month patriotism training programme at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi as the Government moves to strengthen civic responsibility, discipline and national identity among young people.
Ms Hellen Seku, Commissioner of the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC), said the programme will start this year following an agreement with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
She announced the plan on Monday at Immaculate Heart Girls’ Secondary School Nyakibale in Rukungiri District, where more than 1,700 students from four institutions completed a week-long patriotism training.
“I can assure you, head teacher, we are going to begin this year. So, this year we agreed with Jaaja [President Museveni] that all Senior Six vacists are going to Kyankwanzi. You’re going to go for about six months,” Ms Seku said.
The programme will revive an earlier initiative that brought young people to Kyankwanzi for ideological orientation, discipline and patriotism training.
Mr Gadgar Kibayo Arinitwe, head teacher of Makobore High School, said he attended a similar programme in 1993 after completing Senior Six. He said the values acquired during the training continued to influence his life.
“We were at Kyankwanzi for two months, but I must confess that the values we acquired then have kept shaping our outlook on life,” Mr Kibayo said.
Ms Seku also announced refresher training for patrons, coordinators, teachers and head teachers who have either not undergone patriotism training or have not attended it for a long time.
“All patrons and coordinators are going to do a refresher course, including teachers and head teachers who have not yet trained, even those who have taken long. We want everybody to undergo the training,” she said.
The students who completed the Rukungiri programme came from Immaculate Heart Girls’ Secondary School Nyakibale, Karoli Lwanga Institute of Health Sciences, Kinyasano Girls’ High School and Makobore High School.
Their training included ideology sessions, mentorship, early morning drills and parades. They also studied Uganda’s history and political development, national identity, citizenship, Pan-Africanism, discipline, HIV/AIDS awareness, environmental protection, entrepreneurship and integrity.
Ms Seku said the NSPC’s mandate had been expanded to reach young people in higher institutions of learning and the informal sector.
She cited the training of boda boda riders at Kaweweta and Ugandans returning from South Africa as part of efforts to extend patriotism education to different groups.
“We want every Ugandan to get a dose of ideology. This is the time when this country needs an ideological direction for everybody,” she said.
She urged students to work hard and remain disciplined, saying patriotism should be reflected in how citizens perform their responsibilities.
Ms Seku also challenged teachers and health workers to view their professions as forms of national service. Addressing health workers, she urged them to treat patients with integrity and respect.
“Teaching is a patriotic calling,” she said.
The students said the training had strengthened their discipline, resilience and sense of responsibility. In a memorandum presented by Ms Mercy Okuyangabire, Speaker of the Students’ Council at Immaculate Heart Girls’ School Nyakibale, they said bringing learners from different institutions together enabled them to share experiences and build friendships.
Ms Okuyangabire said the training also improved their confidence in using Kiswahili, which was incorporated into parades and army songs.
The students said they learnt the importance of environmental protection, integrity and entrepreneurship, including the need to become job creators rather than solely seeking employment.
“We were sensitised on environmental protection and preservation. We were guided on being job creators, not just job seekers. We also learned about living lives of integrity, doing the right thing even when no one is watching,” she said.
The programme was facilitated by Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officers, professional lecturers and NSPC coordinators under State House. Facilitators included Brig Gen Justus Rukundo and Capt Richard Owaruhanga, Assistant Commissioner in charge of training.
Mr Richard Ndyamuhaki, Regional Coordinator for Patriotism in Kigezi, urged participants to demonstrate the values learnt in their homes and communities.
“What I expect from the participants is that, from what you have undergone, we should see a positive change in your families, in your community, in society, and also in Uganda in general,” he said.
The Deputy Resident District Commissioner of Rukungiri, Mr Wilberforce Ongom Ahimbisibwe, urged the students to maintain discipline and reject corruption and environmental destruction, including the degradation of wetlands.
Ms Seku said the expansion of patriotism training was intended to make civic responsibility and national service part of everyday life for Ugandans.
She cited Article 17 of the Constitution, which provides for patriotism training among the duties of Ugandan citizens, and said Government would continue providing opportunities for citizens to participate in such programmes.
