Don't confuse people about patriotism - Muruli

By John Agaba

Security minister Muruli-Mukasa has warned people spreading propaganda that ideology teachings in the country are a gimmick by the NRM to brainwash citizens.

He said: “It is unfortunate we have such people, and some of them are from the media, but they are wrong and need to stop.”

“Ideology or patriotism teachings are a national cause for everyone Ugandan, whether NRM or not.’’

“Knowing our history, how Uganda was before the coming of the white man, our struggles towards independence, and the immediate aftermath of independence prepares us for the future.”

The minister aired the remarks while presiding over the climax of the inter-university ideology training at Nkumba University recently.

The three-week training saw a total of about 280 students from eight Ugandan universities passed out.

He said that the trainings were intended to remind every citizen of their responsibility in shaping a ‘better, stable, and prosperous Uganda’.

“This is what the President intended when in February 2009, he launched patriotism and ideological trainings in schools especially institutions of higher learning,” he said.

According to him, every Ugandan must be proud of and must think of what they can offer Uganda, “this beautiful country of ours”.

But he acknowledged the hurdles that the country has to skip over when he made pointed references to challenges like corruption, poverty, lack of enough medical personnel, and more.

“Every Ugandan must work hard towards solving these challenges.”

Citing that the youth constituted majority of the country’s population, Muruli-Mukasa, also urged the students to have a dream for the country.

He said: “I hear of the American Dream, of the Martin Luther Dream. Even Abraham Lincoln too had a dream. Let us also have a dream – that by 2040 Uganda is a First World Country.”