Hellen Seku, Commissioner at the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC) – State House, has encouraged young people to deeply love Uganda and take pride in their nation, reminding them that Uganda is their only motherland.
She said it is the duty of every citizen, especially the youth, to love and value Uganda.
She also urged them to appreciate East Africa and the African continent as a whole, promoting unity and Pan-Africanism.
“I encourage you to love yourselves, love Uganda, and East Africa and Africa as a whole because by doing so, we shall be sure of a shared market of our products with our neighboring sister countries,” Seku said.
She added, “For me I love my country and I can never get ashamed to express my pride that am a Ugandan but most importantly, am proud of the government I have witnessed from childhood to where am today. I keep wondering why some Africans hate their natural colors yet we are black beauty.”
Seku made these remarks while giving a lecture to 200 youth from the districts of Kasanda, Mityana, Mubende, and Kampala, who are currently attending an ideological and patriotism training course at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi.
Quoting Nelson Mandela’s ‘Long Walk to Freedom’, Seku said that if people can be taught to hate, they can also be taught to love.
She explained that hate is not something people are born with, but something learned, and just as it can be learned, love can be as well.
She encouraged the youth to grow values such as love, sacrifice, service, pride, and loyalty to Uganda, and praised the achievements of the current government.
Seku also warned against blindly adopting foreign cultures without thinking about how they affect African identity and 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 also highlighted the importance of choosing leaders with strong values and a clear ideology, saying such leaders ensure government programs benefit the people, not their own interests.
Tap into government programs
In her message, Brig. Gen. Charity Bainababo, encouraged them to take charge of their future.
She pointed out that the government has already made key investments in areas like infrastructure and education to support youth development and prosperity.
She urged them to make use of these opportunities to build a better life.
She also encouraged them to avoid being misled and instead focus on improving their lives through hard work and by benefiting from government wealth creation programs.
“She also encouraged them to go for the struggle when they have something in their pockets than being used,” highlighting the importance of financial independence and self-reliance.
The youth were further advised not to ignore their responsibilities but instead concentrate on what benefits them and contributes to their personal and national progress.
