Patriotism: nationalism or just indoctrination?

They braved the hot weather and spent two weeks doing military drills, sometimes bare-footed in the scotching sun. Every morning, they would be seen shooting and assembling guns with a lot of enthusiasm. These are the school heads and their deputies who accomplished a Patriotism and Leadership course organised by the Patriotism Clubs Secretariat which is under the President’s office at Shimoni Core Primary Teachers College located in the little known Kitikifumba village in Kira Town Council.

The trainees were passed out last Wednesday at a ceremony which was expected to be graced by President Museveni but Education Minister Jessica Alupo represented him. Although the training was aimed at deepening the spirit of patriotism among educationists so that they pass on the same to the learners, it has widely been viewed as a well –calculated move by the ruling NRM to indoctrinate teachers in party ideology.

“Instead of enhancing our salaries, they are wasting money teaching us how to love our mother land. Who told them that we hate our country?” asked a head teacher of a school in Lira District who preferred anonymity for fear of reprisal from his superiors. But Lt. Col. Henry Masiko, the commissioner of Patriotism Clubs who organised the training dismisses the claims of indoctrination, saying the cardinal objective is to equip the school administrators with useful information in fostering unity among Ugandans.

“We are just bringing them (school administrators) on board by deepening their understanding of the core patriotism activities,” he said.
He said the participants drawn from 233 schools across the country were taken through the basics of ideological studies, elementary foot drills and introduction to the AK47 rifle including a range shooting exercise.

According to Lt. Col. Masiko, each school was supposed to send four participants though some dispatched only one. “We hope this exposure has empowered these teachers who in turn are expected to consolidate the patriotism programme in their schools which will help increase national consciousness of the students under their charge,” he said.

“If we achieve this, it will consolidate unity among our society, foster peace and create social, economic and political awareness for sustainable positive living. What is wrong with that?.” asked Lt. Col. Masiko .
Ms Elizabeth Mirembe , the head teacher Nakasongola SS concurs with Lt. Col. Masiko , saying the skills she acquired will help her in life as an individual and students in her school.

“We may have our concerns as teachers, but to me this training has enabled me learn the elements of self defence and understand that the gun is not necessarily a weapon of destruction,” she said.

“We have also received tips on how to instill the spirit of patriotism in our students. This doesn’t only make them love one another and their country but also turns them into highly disciplined and law abiding citizens.” Ms Mirembe added.

This is the third patriotism and leadership training to be organized for teachers after the two which were held at National Leadership Institute - Kyankwazi and Kings College, Budo last year. In the last three years , formation of patriotism clubs in schools has spread like wild fire with students yearning to learn military skills.

Some of the prominent schools that have embraced patriotism clubs include King’s College Budo, Trinity College Nabbingo, Budo Junior School, Namilyango College School, Buddo SS, St Lawrence Schools ,Ndejje SS, Kibuli SS and Masaka SS.

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