Today, over 930 students from Immaculate Heart Girls School Nyakibale in Rukungiri District successfully completed a one-week intensive training on patriotism. The pass-out ceremony was held at the school’s playground, where Col. Justus Rukundo, the Commandant of Oliva Reginald Tambo Leadership School Kaweweta, was the chief guest representing Miss Hellen Seku, Commissioner of the National Secretariat for Patriotism Uganda.
Col. Rukundo emphasized that the training aims to instill discipline and foster love for both the state and the environment among learners. He encouraged students to first love themselves and then extend that love to East Africa and Africa as a whole. Col. Rukundo also addressed those with negative perceptions about patriotism, clarifying that it is not merely associated with President Museveni or the NRM party but is a crucial aspect of personal development and national pride.
He cautioned against indiscipline behaviors such as alcoholism, smoking, and prostitution, stressing that patriotism is fundamental to building strong homes, admirable communities, and respectable nations.
Rukungiri Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Nsubuga Bewayo Stephen, also spoke at the ceremony. He advised young people to use the internet responsibly and be aware of the risks associated with technology, despite its educational benefits. RDC Bewayo urged students to demonstrate their love for their country by preserving the environment.
Among the students who completed the training were Najuna Melisa and Nayebare Antoneti. They shared their experiences and the valuable skills they acquired, such as discipline, national pride, and financial management.
The National Secretariat for Patriotic Corps (NSPC) was established in 2009 by H.E. the President of Uganda. It is a national initiative aimed at instilling the values and norms of patriotism in students and youth across Uganda.