Brig. Gen. Bainababo urges students, public servants to make discipline and integrity a way of life

Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces’ (UPDF) Brigadier General Charity Bainababo has urged students and public servants to make discipline, integrity and responsibility part of their daily lives, saying the values are central to patriotism and national development.
Bainababo, the UPDF Director of Women Affairs, made the remarks while addressing students of St Mary’s College Kisubi (SMACK) and Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) staff attending a transformational leadership course at the Oliver Reginald Tambo Leadership School and Pan-African Centre of Excellence in Kaweweta.
Speaking separately to the two groups, she challenged them to look beyond symbolic expressions of patriotism and instead demonstrate their commitment to Uganda through their everyday conduct and decisions.
“Patriotism is not simply about singing the national anthem or waving the national flag. It is reflected in the choices you make every day, how you conduct yourselves and how committed you are to contributing to the development of your country,” she said.
‘Discipline is key to success’
Addressing the SMACK students, Bainababo linked discipline to the school’s motto, Duc in Altum, which means “launch into the deep”.
She said students aspiring to achieve their ambitions must develop self-control, commitment and perseverance to navigate challenges.
“You cannot successfully launch into the deep without discipline. The deep seas can drown even an undisciplined sailor. Whatever ambitions you have in life, you will need discipline, self-control and perseverance to achieve them,” she said.
She also urged the students to guard their integrity from an early age, warning them against negative peer pressure and encouraging them to build reputations based on trust and responsible conduct.
“Build your character while you are still young. Let integrity be part of you and let it become your brand. When you are faced with peer pressure, have the courage to stand by what you know is right,” she said.
The UPDF officer further encouraged the students to use information and communication technology responsibly, saying their generation has an opportunity to harness technology to solve problems and contribute to Uganda’s development.
“You are the generation growing up with technology at your fingertips. Use it creatively and responsibly to innovate, solve problems and contribute to Uganda’s transformation,” she said.
Turning to the URA staff, Bainababo said their responsibilities should be viewed as more than routine revenue collection, arguing that the money collected plays a role in financing public services and national development.
“Revenue collection is not merely an administrative responsibility. It is a critical national service because the resources you mobilise contribute directly to the development and functioning of our country,” she said.
She urged revenue officers to understand the wider impact of their work and the connection between their daily responsibilities and national development.
“A patriot understands their role and mission. For you at URA, patriotism means understanding that every shilling you mobilise contributes to the resources needed to deliver public services and drive national development,” she said.
She also emphasised the importance of honesty, transparency and accountability among public servants, particularly those entrusted with public resources and dealing directly with taxpayers.
“Let integrity be part of you; let it be your brand. Your professional reputation is built by the choices you make every day, especially when nobody is watching,” she said.
She called on both students and public servants to view patriotism as an ongoing responsibility demonstrated through their actions rather than declarations.
The remarks were made during leadership and patriotism-related engagements at the Kaweweta-based leadership school.