Young people have been urged to take precautions against HIV and AIDS to ensure they grow into responsible individuals in the future.
This message was conveyed by Hellen Seku, the Commissioner of the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC) in the President’s office, during the graduation ceremony for 2,101 students who completed a patriotism course in Mubende district.
“I encourage you young patriots to avoid HIV/AIDS because it has claimed lives of many young people, it’s not a joke and we have to be conscious,” she noted.
She said recent reports from the ministry of health indicate that more than 4000 youth contract HIV every seven days.
“It is a killer and I advise you to abstain from sex until the right time,” she emphasized.
Seku emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive relationship with parents, stating, “To the youth of Mubende, I encourage you to nurture your connections with your parents, as they serve as your primary role models in society. Additionally, it is crucial to steer clear of negative influences for your own safety.”
The total number of trainees included 1,096 females and 1,005 males.
The students from eight different schools participated in a four-day residential course.
Seku urged the students to embrace and uphold the core values of patriotism, noting that doing so would unlock various opportunities for them.
“Are you aware there are some people who do not wish you well, they don’t want you to prosper, but now that you have acquired patriotism skills, take them further, learn to make right decisions with the right information and you will never be the same again,” she noted.
Seku, who also doubles as the private secretary to the President for youth affairs, expressed appreciation for the Chief Patron of patriotism clubs across the country, recognizing the critical need for ideological orientation among the nation’s youth.
“I would like to also appreciate the Chief Patron President Yoweri Museveni who found it important to introduce such a significant initiative with the intention of inculcating norms and values of patriotism to all students and the youth of Uganda,” Seku added.
She emphasized that President Museveni’s ultimate goal is to produce a new breed of enlightened citizens who are devoted to the national cause and willing to sacrifice for the country.
She thanked the students for being disciplined and resilient, and also appreciated the efforts of all school patrons and other stakeholders for making the pass out a success.
John Ngirabakunzi, the Patriotism Coordinator of greater Mubende, said students were not only trained to love and be loyal to their country; but also underwent ideological orientation, career guidance, financial literacy and personal development, climate change and environmental protection measures among others.
Maurice Kabagambe, a senior three student at Kasenyi SS applauded the Secretariat and Commissioner Seku for taking Patriotism to the Mubende region.
“As patriots of Mubende district, we are humbled for we got a chance to benefit from the patriotism program which has enabled us to know the importance of being patriotic to our country,” he noted.
“We want to thank President Museveni for establishing this initiative and also NSPC Commissioner Seku for bringing the program to our school and the entire greater Mubende,” Kabagambe said.
The gathering was attended by the head teachers of the respective schools, board members, local government officials from Mubende, parents, members of parliament, and other notable figures.
