The Prime Minister of Uganda, Robinah Nabbanja, has urged student leaders from Higher Institutions of Learning to cultivate a deep love for their country.
She emphasized that this passion is instrumental in shaping them into the exemplary leaders of tomorrow.
“As Ugandans, we don’t have any second home, and we call it our motherland even those who have citizenship in America, they are called Americans with Ugandan origin. It is therefore a must for us Ugandans to jealously defend, serve and love it , even when when you get a small job here do it proudly and passionately because you will be serving your country,” said Nabbanja.
She reached out during a lecture attended by more than 800 student leaders from Higher Institutions participating in a patriotism training program at Nkumba University, today, January 7, 2025.
Nabbanja urged the young leaders to embrace their roles as ambassadors of Uganda’s rich heritage, emphasizing the importance of promoting its values and traditions for the benefit of future generations.
“We are lucky to be Ugandans because of its fertile soils and good climate and whatever everything human being needs we have it Uganda. We thank President Yoweri for his good leadership,” she said.
“Allow me to remind you that we as Ugandans because of the past regimes and by the time you become leaders in the future, Uganda will be among the most developed clu tries in the whole world,” she added.
The Prime Minister further urged the student leaders to set a strong example in their lives and to focus on the well-being of those they represent.
She highlighted the necessity of leading with integrity, responsibility, and a spirit of selflessness, encouraging them to prioritize the needs of their communities over their own interests.
She inspired these young leaders to serve as shining examples of hope and catalysts for positive transformation, motivating others through their exemplary character and deeds.
“I want you to tell you that this is the best course you have ever studied, some of us we are also the products of this very program and it has helped us to be where we are today. Now that you have underwent this training, go and live exemplary lives, satisfy your needs without fear or favour because once you are patriotic, you understand patriotism, Pan Africanism, democracy and socio-economic transformation you will never go wrong,” added Nabbanja.
Nabbanja commended Hellen Seku, the Commissioner of the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC), along with President Yoweri Museveni, for their leadership in advancing the patriotism initiative.
She recognized their decision to host a training program for student leaders from higher education institutions as a significant step forward.
She highlighted the critical need for responsible living and informed choices, urging the participants to focus on their health and well-being, especially in safeguarding themselves against diseases such as HIV/AIDS.
“HIV/AIDS is real, I want to advise you to be careful with your lives, plan well for your lives, learn what to do, when and how, I assure you if I had not consciously lived my life I wouldn’t be here and I was going to miss to be what i am today and sometimes I try to remember about my friends but shockingly some died longtime ago due to HIV,” Nabbanja emphasized.
The training program, which began on January 3, 2025, is designed to empower student leaders with essential skills and knowledge to emerge as informed and patriotic figures.
This initiative is a key component of the National Students Patriotism Club’s (NSPC) mission to foster patriotism and national unity across the nation.
The program highlights the significance of civic duty and inspires young leaders to engage actively in shaping a brighter future for Uganda.
The training will be officially closed by President Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni, who also serves as the Minister of Education, on January 17, 2025.