Patriotism Commissioner Seku Concludes Monitoring and Evaluation of Activities in Rwenzori Schools

The National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps in Uganda has concluded a monitoring and Evaluation exercise of patriotism activities in all schools in Rwenzori Region in a bid to continue grooming students who love their country.

According to the National Commissioner for Patriotism  Ms Hellen Seku, the exercise which has ended today started on Monday with various staff from her office splitting to do spot check in different districts to assess how Patriotism activities are being done and the challenges they are encountering so as to come up with possible solutions.

National Commissioner for Patriotism Hellen Seku addressing students of Rusekere High School.

In her remarks where she interacted with the students, Ms Seku  advised them to stay in school, cherish education, and also to value knowledge.

Ms Seku further advised them to avoid early sexual engagements and have discipline if they want to succeed in their respective careers.

“Dear girls, respect your bodies and guard them jealously, tighten your skirts. Even these people who sell ground nuts no longer give jaribu (some for testing). Their gnuts are always packed , if you go on giving jaribu to any one u can’t achieve your dreams so as to be ladies of substance in future”, said Seku.

National Commissioner for Patriotism Hellen Seku Interacting with learners.

The Presidential Secretary on Youth Affairs , Ms Seku  visited schools in Kamwenge, Kabalore, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, Kitagwenda, Ntoroko among other districts and she set out to establish also whether the schools had school gardens, and to know whether they are well versed with the core values of patriotism.

Some of these schools visited include Kyebambe Girls School, Nyakasura School, Rusekere High School, St Lucia High School, Kahinju Secondary School among others.

The students from various schools raised concerns which were relatively similar and these included, the need to have literature material about Patriotism, the need to have Patriotism uniforms and certificates.

In some of the findings, it was discovered that that some schools force students to pay for the patriotism trainings which is against the Presidential directive and also make their own certificates which is also wrong.

The Certificates are issued by the Patriotism Secretariat and signed by the Commissioner.

The Deputy RDC Kabarole District Mr Bwire Paulo Ogallo at St Lucia High School.

It was also discovered that some schools force students to pay for these trainings which is against the Presidential directive and investigations have since been commenced.

The Kamwenge District Resident District Commissioner Isiah Kanyamahane appreciated the Secretariat for choosing his area.  He said that due to Patriotism training, students now love their Schools teachers and that they have not had cases of strikes anymore because their mind set have changed because they love their country.

Kanyamahane urged the Secretariat to continue doing such in schools and emphasizing that in doing so, the country will be grooming citizens and the next generation who have a positive attitude towards the economy.

Wilson Hakiza the Patriotism Coordinator in Kamwenge District encouraged Ugandans to embrace patriotism saying it is not a political initiative but a constitutional requirement.

National Commissioner for Patriotism Hellen Seku together with students of Nyakasura School.

Article 17 of the Constitution of Uganda, Clause 2 states that it is the duty of all able-bodied citizens to undergo military training for the defense of this Constitution and the protection of the territorial integrity of Uganda whenever called upon to do so; and the State shall ensure that facilities are available for such training. This kind of training falls under the Patriotism activities.  Government has since indicated that effective this year, will undergo training at the National Leadership Institute.

National Commissioner for Patriotism Ms Hellen Seku having a light moment with a young boy.

On the sidelines of the Monitoring and Evaluation Exercise, Seku is today expected to hold a stake holders meeting at Nyakasura School with head teachers and patriotism patrons in the district of Kabalore and Fort Portal City to discuss more about Patriotism.