Seku Advises Makerere University Patriots to Embrace Local Cultures , Values

By NSPC Communications team

A significant number of young people in Africa have been swayed by external forces trading their cultural heritage for superficial and short-lived benefits.

It is from this background that the Commissioner for National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC) in the Office of the President Hellen Seku advised the youths to appreciate and uphold their cultures and avoid valuing trivial and materialistic things over their own identity and national pride.

“As patriots, I don’t expect you to go by the band wagon and you have to be much aware that the whites will never give you anything for free. For example, they have gone back to their organic foods but for us we are busy copying their ways of eating Pizzas, burgers, sausages and everything without realizing that such foods reduce our life spans,” Seku said.

National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps-NSPC Commissioner Ms Hellen Seku.

She cautioned against adopting foreign cultures without critically evaluating their impact on African identity and national pride.
“The whites vowed to make us ideologically empty and culturally naked, make us suffer from inferiority complexes, mental inferiority, and lose self-confidence. Yet we are intelligent people and wiser than them. But I’m here to assure and encourage you that our time is now to wake up and have our eyes open as Ugandans and Africans; let us think like patriots who love and respect our country and cultural heritage.” she emphasized
She further stressed the importance of embracing our local made products urging that together the glory of Africa can bounce back tremendously.
“You find a beautiful girl but she is busy putting on artificial hair on the head without knowing that the chemicals we use are cancerous yet we have our own ghee and ovacados that can make our skins and hair naturally beautiful.”, said Seku.

Commissioner Seku also underscored the importance of students utilsing all the opportunities that come their way if they are to succeed in life.
“I encourage you to be patriots who are always open to participate in all opportunities. I know there are some leaders who can want you to be under their wings and they do not you to shine, to the extent that they can never even think of introducing you to a village local council one chairperson and that is being selfish,”
“But one thing I know is that God is always on his people’s side and no one can block someone’s blessing, it can delay but it will come at a particular day.” Seku noted
She made this statement during a patriotism awareness day symposium held at Makerere University in Kampala, on Wednesday.
Seku, using herself as an illustration, emphasized that she consistently attended all available training sessions, even after completing her education which she believes that these factors have greatly contributed to her present achievements.
“Before the president appointed me a commissioner, I volunteered at the NSPC and wherever there was training, I would take a chance. I never undermined jobs because we were told that one of the cores of patriotism is to be hardworking therefore do not undermine any kind of job,” she added.
She also emphasized the importance of discipline among the youth to help the Ugandan youth become responsible, resilient, resourceful, and hard-working individuals in order
“Being loyal to your principals and elders is one value that will take you places that you never imagined but when you are wordy, or a thief, no one will trust you.”
“But patriots must have discipline; and when there are strikes for example, as patriots be the ones to tell your fellows to stop fighting and also advise them that it is possible to sit at a round table and iron out all issues and then come up with solutions.” added Seku
She holds the belief that by embracing patriotism, students can evolve into individuals who value and actively pursue knowledge.

Her message was well-received by the attendees, including Abias Musiime, the president of the Patriotism study group of Makerere University.

Musiime expressed his gratitude to Seku for her valuable support and guidance, noting that her leadership will be instrumental in promoting patriotism not only at Makerere University but also to the entire Uganda and Africa as a whole.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank madam Seku for having time for us. She is one in a million, she is not only a good teacher and leader, but also a patriot, and iam sure under her guidance and stewardship, patriotism at Makerere will never be the same again.” said Musiime
The symposium was also attended by the Guild union, Dean of students and Convocation leadership of Makerere University.