The Commissioner of the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC) at the Office of the President, Hellen Seku, urged the youth to actively participate in environmental protection and conservation initiatives as a vital strategy to combat the effects of climate change.
She emphasized that, with support from schools and district administrations, students can effectively serve as change agents and advocates for nature by engaging in the planting of fruit trees.
“I want to encourage you students, schools and district stakeholders to embrace the National Patriotism environmental campaign which was initiated by H.E Yoweri Museveni and plant trees especially fruit trees. I want to come back here next year and find the trees you have planted because they give shade, and even fruits which you will eat and sell to get money as well,” she noted.
She delivered her remarks while overseeing the graduation ceremony for 927 students from Rubaare SS in Ntungamo district, who had completed a week of training focused on patriotism and ideological principles on September 28, 2024.
She stressd that; “If each student plants at least five different fruit trees at both our schools and homes, we can overcome drought challenges and mitigate the impacts of global warming on our environment. Therefore, patriots, it is your responsibility to inspire community members to join in this effort”.
She further stated that the goal is to plant a minimum of one million trees across 18 zones in the country by the end of this year.
Among the trainees who participated in the residential program aimed at fostering patriotism and mindset transformation, were 623 girls and 304 boys.
Seku also encouraged the students to uphold the fundamental values of patriotism, asserting that this will help them become responsible citizens who can contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development.
“The President’s vision of inculcating norms and values of patriotism in students and youth of Uganda which he initiated in 2009 is still the same today, the through patriotism development training, should transform you through acquisition of knowledge and in so doing, you will as well acquire the sense of pride in your nation by becoming tolerant, time conscious, hardworking and you will also be in position to cope up in a competitive world,” she emphasized.
Seku, also serving as the Private Secretary to the President for youth affairs, emphasized that the primary objective is to cultivate a new generation of informed citizens committed to the national interest and prepared to make sacrifices for their country.
Isiah Kanyamahane, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Ntungamo district, commended President Museveni for selecting Seku to lead the Patriotism Secretariat.
“I want to thank the head of state and our President Yoweri Museveni for citing an eye on you (Seku), a young, potential and respectful person to be in charge of the Secretariat. You are not the first Commissioner to work at the Secretariat but for the little time you have spent in office, you have registered enormous visibility and we are grateful,” he noted.
Monic Mpeirwe, the Headmistress of Rubaare SS, expressed gratitude to Seku for providing her students with a valuable ideological experience.
She also commended President Museveni and the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, for their support, which has significantly increased student enrollment at the school. Shepherd Nuwagaba, a senior three student and founder of a patriotism club at Rubaare SS, stated that the training will effectively address and eradicate the longstanding issues of indiscipline among students.
“We have been having serious cases of students delaying and disrespecting bells especially during lunchtime, morning and evening preps, breaktime but after completing the mindset change training, we are going to be time conscious because time management is among the core values of patriotism,” noted Nuwagaba.
The event was also attended by Ntungamo Deputy RDC, Rosemary Atuhire, GISO Dickson Ayebazibwe, Inspector of Schools Robert Atuzarirwe, ASP Ilam Muzoora the O/C Rubaare police station, Rev.canon Joram Akoragye Chairman Board of Governors, parents among other distinguished guests
