Maj General Matsiko Inspires Students on Patriotism Training to Become Solution Finders

The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) Joint Staff Commissariat, Maj. General Henry Matsiko, has urged student leaders of higher institutions of learning to utilize their youthful time sufficiently to create solutions for the people they lead.

He made these remarks while delivering a lecture to student leaders from all higher institutions of learning who are undergoing patriotism and ideological training at Nkumba University. “As a leader, your role is to bring solutions, not to demonstrate, quarrel, or exacerbate problems. Leaders solve problems; they don’t create more problems,” he said.

Maj. General Matsiko reminded the student leaders that once all leaders use their prime time to prepare and instill discipline, they will be in a position to provide answers and solutions to the problems faced by the people they lead. “Use your youthful time to prepare, volunteer, and cultivate discipline because leadership is about creating solutions, not problems,” he emphasized.

Some of the students leaders attending the Patriotism Training.

He also noted that as leaders of institutions, they are expected to provide answers, not excuses. “Imagine visiting a hospital and a doctor says they can’t handle your situation – that’s unacceptable,” he added.

Maj. General Matsiko further stressed the importance of leaders reflecting on their leadership skills, urging that leadership is about making a positive impact and finding solutions to challenges. He encouraged the young leaders to be selective in adopting ideas, prioritizing those that promote the preservation of African heritage, traditions, and culture.

He advised them to always make informed decisions about which ideas to adopt and which to reject, assess the potential impact of those ideas on their lives, communities, and culture. “Leadership is about making a positive impact as well as finding solutions to challenges,” he said.

Moses Mufakinanye commonly known as Omujugujugu, the leader of the opposition and a GRC member at Makerere University, expressed gratitude for the training, acknowledging its timeliness and potential impact. “We have been taken through how to sacrifice, love our country, and such training comes at the right time when most of the youth are going astray. We have been taught how to analyze factors of production and how best we can use them to propel us to do the right things. I expect to be equipped with knowledge and skills on how to deal with negative forces, and after this, I will inspire others,” he said.

Belinda Amanya, a student leader from Gulu University and a speaker of the sixth East African Youth Parliament, also expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the patriotism induction. “This is an amazing opportunity for us leaders, and I know it is going to be so impactful to us youth. Listening to various speakers has been great because, as young people, when we grow up, we want to run for international things and forget our own country. But we have learned how to love, defend, and sacrifice for our own country, as well as learning what it takes for us, the current generation, to thrive in our country, regardless of gender, social status, among other factors,” she highlighted.

Some of the student leaders attending the Patriotism Training in Kampala.

Ian Gumisiriza Jeremiah, the Principal Communications Officer at the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC) Office of the President, noted that the aim of the training is to equip leaders of higher institutions of learning with leadership skills. “We are here in Nkumba conducting a patriotism training for student leaders from all institutions across the country, with the aim of equipping them with the capacity and capabilities to handle different issues because they are supposed to provide solutions. We are training them to know how to take responsibility, especially in decision-making,” he said.

“Our Commissioner, Hellen Seku, with the guidance of our Chief Patron and President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, saw it fit to undertake this training,” he added.

The two-week training will be officially closed by President Museveni and First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, on January 17.