School heads warned against restricting patriotism training

Kabale Resident District Commissioner, Godfrey Nyakahuma, has issued a stern warning to school administrators against restricting students from participating in patriotism training.

This training, he believes, is essential for students to learn about and understand their country, its history, and its values. Nyakahuma made these remarks while presiding over the passing out of 1500 patriots at St. Mary's College - Rushoroza in Kabale Municipality.

"The patriotism training exposes our young people, especially in secondary schools and tertiary institutions, to the natural wealth and endowment of our country," Nyakahuma explained. "It shows them how we've failed to exploit our resources due to the colonial education system we inherited."

He emphasised that this training also teaches students about the importance of mindset change and maximising resource exploitation to drive social-economic transformation and industrialisation.

Nyakahuma stressed that patriotism training is crucial for students to learn how to sacrifice for their country when needed. "You cannot talk about social-economic transformation when you don't know what you're talking about and when you're undisciplined," he said. "This training exposes our people to the values of patriotism, which is very important for igniting social-economic transformation."

He noted that the training program covers various topics, including the history of Uganda, the country's natural resources, and the importance of discipline and hard work.

"The training also teaches students about the challenges facing our country and how they can contribute to addressing them," Nyakahuma said.

The head teacher of St. Mary's School Rushoroza, Christopher Monday, echoed Nyakahuma's sentiments, "I believe the students are already changed people."

"The training has equipped them with a positive mindset, discipline, and love for the country. It's about behavioural change, and once people change their behaviour, especially the youth, discipline changes, and we expect better performance among students and stability in our families."

Mr Monday added that the training program has had a significant impact on the students, and he is confident that they will become responsible citizens who will contribute to the development of their country.

"The training has taught them the importance of patriotism, discipline, and hard work," he said. "I am confident that they will become leaders who will drive our country's development."