President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has emphasized the importance of patriotism, urging Ugandans to prioritize national unity over tribalistic and sectarian politics. Speaking at the pass-out ceremony of over 750 student leaders at Nkumba University, Museveni cautioned against the dangers of politics of tribalism and identity, emphasizing that these ideologies will not solve the country’s problems.
The President inspecting the Parade of Student Leaders.
Museveni’s call for patriotism is rooted in his belief as well as the principles of the National Resistance Movement that tribes and religions will not help in the development of the country. Instead, Museveni advocates for a politics of interest, where individuals prioritize national development over sectarian interests. This approach, he believes, will promote social-economic transformation and benefit the community as a whole.
The President made the remarks during a ceremony marking the conclusion of a two-week training program organized by the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC). The program aimed to instill core values of patriotism , ideology leadership skills and encourage a mindset shift among the student leaders.
First Lady Janet Museveni also spoke at the event, urging the student leaders to become ambassadors of peace, unity, and patriotism. She emphasized the significance of the national anthem, describing it as a prayer, and encouraged the students to remember that when they sing the anthem, they are making a commitment to God, their nation, and each other.
Some of the students who have been passed out today by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
In addition to promoting patriotism, Museveni also emphasized the importance of adopting a culture of wealth creation, rather than relying on others for survival. He encouraged the students to become job creators and wealth creators, rather than relying on the government for support.
The Minister for Presidency, Milly Babalanda, reported that the patriotism program had positively impacted student behavior in secondary schools. She encouraged the commissioned students to use their newfound skills to bring about change in their villages and communities.
Commissioner Ms Hellen Seku delivering her Speech at the Pass out.
On her Part, Ms Hellen Seku, Commissioner of the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps, called on the government to support trained patriotic youths who are struggling with unemployment despite having valuable skills. Seku who is also President Museveni ‘s Private Secretary for Youth Affairs noted that the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps has trained an impressive 146,791 citizens across the country, surpassing its target of 75,000 citizens per year. However, many of these trained youths remain unemployed, prompting Seku to propose the creation of patriots’ savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOs) to support them.
Seku also urged the participants to become ambassadors of change, emphasizing that patriotism requires daily practice and commitment.
“To the participants, as you leave this place today, know that patriotism is like a religion, we have to preach, live and practice it every day and everywhere we go,” said Seku.
Commissioner for National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps-NSPC Ms Hellen Seku welcoming the First Lady Janet Museveni who is also the Minister for Education and Sports.
Both President Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni, and Minister Milly Babalanda took a moment to thank Seku for organizing the successful event which commenced on January 3rd 2025. Seku, in turn, expressed her gratitude to President Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni for their unwavering support to the training program and for taking time out of their busy schedules to attend the pass-out ceremony.
In closing, Seku expressed heartfelt gratitude to President Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni for their support, saying, “Your Excellency and mama, as I conclude, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to you and mama for your unwavering support to the education sector and for giving a girl child an opportunity to attain education.” She also acknowledged the impact of the training program, which has inspired many young people and is already being felt across the country. Seku noted that more schools and universities are eager to be part of the program, and they are committed to continuing their efforts to promote patriotism and mindset change among Ugandans. However, she also highlighted the need to address the issue of boy children who are getting wasted into drugs and bad practices that affect both their health and academics.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the pass out of the students.
In response to Seku’s request, President Museveni said the government is capable of starting SACCOs for the patriots even at the district level, although he emphasized that the students should instead be job creators and wealth creators.
Earlier before the speeches, the President inspected the parade made by the student leaders which was being commanded by Ritah Amongin a student leader at Uganda Christian University -UCU.
