MUSEVENI | BMK | PATRIOTISM 

KAMPALA - President Yoweri Museveni and the late businessman Bulaimu Muwanga Kibirige commonly known as BMK have been recognised for being patriotic.

The president was recognised for his outstanding contribution towards promoting patriotism, while Kibirige was recognised in appreciation of his contribution and dedication towards building the business sector in the country.

The two were honoured during the launch of Patriots Club Uganda (PCU) under the theme; “Harnessing Patriotism as a means of development”  at Serena Hotel in Kampala.

The event was attended by senior police officers, the business community, politicians, and youth, among others.

The deputy patron of the club, Hajji Kaweesa Hassan Metta alias Cafac, received the award on behalf of President Museveni, while Mahammad Ssendegeya media personnel received the award on behalf of late Kibirige's family.

Speaking during the launch, the acting chairperson of the club, Paul Talemwa, said President Museveni was recognised because of his tireless and continued effort in guiding the ‘Wananchi’ (the public) in on various issues ranging from loving their country to development.

“The President on several occasions has always come out to advise Ugandans to stop working for survival, but instead participate in commercialization, value-addition as the only way to transform the communities from peasantry to agriculture modernization or market-led development. 

He has not be been selfish to fellow citizens and this has changed people’s mindset on the way they look at things and we are seeing a lot of development. That's why as a club we decided to honor him when he is still here,’’ he noted.

He further noted that because of his Pan Africanism heart, selflessness, sacrifice, and good leadership, Ugandans have enjoyed peace and development for the last 35 years, which peace has also been extended to other African countries like South Sudan and Somalia, among others.

He explained that the clubs were formed to bring together youth from different parts of the country, and inspire them to work hard towards achieving the country’s vision 2040, to transform Uganda from a peasant to middle-income status.

The communications office at the club’s secretariat, Richard Mugisha, said they have so far introduced several patriotism clubs in over 400 primary and secondary schools.

He stressed that according to their survey, 60% of students that go through patriotism clubs are always self-driven.

He noted that the program aims at encouraging students and teachers to become a new breed of enlightened citizens, committed to National Service among other objectives.

In 2009, President Yoweri Museveni launched a new national strategic program to inculcate the norms and values of patriotism in all students in secondary schools and the youth of Uganda, aimed to develop resourceful, responsible, disciplined, and resilient citizens who are loyal and ready to defend and transform Uganda.

Seasoned journalist, Andrew Mwenda, who represented the national coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) Gen Caleb Akandwanaho alias Salim Saleh, urged the youth to tap into government programs such as the new government Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and others to change their lives and transform the country

''It's only Ugandans who will transform this country‘s economy. Let us own it and this can be done with patriotism,” he added.

Hillary Kulayige, a staff officer at the Police Directorate of Chief Political Commissar called upon the youth to join the police in fighting crime in communities.

Kulayige who represented his boss, Asan Kasingye, said the youth need to engage fellow youth to mobilize them against crime.

“Cases like rape, theft, murder caused by the influence of drugs and peer pressure amongst the youth, can be fought when youth embrace such patriotism clubs that are key in transforming the lives of people’’ Kulayigye noted.