Museveni urges internal security recruits to uphold patriotism, Pan-Africanism
"When you are in the security or defence forces, the first question is: what are you defending, and what are you defending against,” he said, according to a release from the Presidential Press Unit (PPU).
President Yoweri Museveni addressing the trainees during a meeting which took place on Wednesday (September 24) at State House, Entebbe. (PPU photos)
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President Yoweri Museveni has urged Internal Security Organisation (ISO) fresh recruits to uphold patriotism, Pan-Africanism, and ideological clarity as they embark on their careers in safeguarding Uganda’s sovereignty.
He gave the advice while interacting with the trainees who have been undergoing comprehensive training. The meeting took place on Wednesday (September 24) at State House, Entebbe, during a session where the President delivered a lecture on opportunity to 312 ISO trainees.
The training covered areas such as core intelligence, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, political ideology, Musevenomics, as well as media and intelligence studies.
“I am sure your trainers have already spoken to you about some of these issues, but there is no harm in repeating them. When you are in the security or defence forces, the first question is: what are you defending, and what are you defending against,” he said, according to a release from the Presidential Press Unit (PPU).
The President reflected on Uganda’s history, observing that the mission of the country’s security forces was not clearly defined at independence, having been created by colonialists to maintain their rule.
“Their (colonialists') mission was to maintain colonialism and suppress our thirst for independence. When independence came, the same force was simply handed over to the new government without redefining its mission. That is why we, the student movements of the 1960s, had to take a new path,” President Museveni said.
He further pointed out that identity politics further crippled post-independence Uganda.
“Old parties focused on identity politics. The Democratic Party was mainly for Catholics, the Uganda People’s Congress for Protestants and some Muslims, and Kabaka Yekka for Baganda and some Muslims. For us, we rejected this approach and instead focused on the needs of the people. Our aim was to create prosperity, not to cater for tribal or religious identities,” he explained.
The President emphasised the NRM’s four ideological principles of patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation, and democracy, which are framed within the three historical missions of prosperity, strategic security, and African brotherhood.
“Our number one priority is patriotism and the spirit of Uganda. Prosperity comes from every adult producing goods or services, not from begging or relying on others. That is why Pan-Africanism is crucial. Africa can support our prosperity far better than Uganda alone,” the President stressed.
President Museveni also reminded the recruits that Uganda’s survival and success depend on regional integration.
“We must ensure that never again will Africa’s existence depend on the permission of others. Economic and political integration is the correct answer to the question of prosperity and strategic security,” he said.
He also urged the new officers to maintain conviction and discipline as guiding values, citing the case of the National Resistance Army.
“By 1986, we had a force of 20,000 NRA fighters backed by millions of civilians, propelled not by mercenary interests but by conviction. I urge you to maintain that spirit,” he said.
Tackle sabotage of Government programs
The Minister of Security, Jim Muhwezi, commended the President for physically engaging the recruits and congratulated the ISO leadership for preparing a well-equipped new generation of officers.
“Thank you for sparing time in your very busy schedule to lecture your trainees. I also thank and congratulate the Director General of ISO and your staff for equipping this new force with tools that will help our country. This new blood is coming in at a critical time when Uganda is transforming from a poor country to a middle-income country," he said.
The minister warned that the biggest threat Uganda faces today is the sabotage of government programs by corrupt actors.
“Programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM), Universal Primary Education (UPE), and others are being undermined. In the case of PDM, some parish chiefs are stealing money that the government has given to help people engage in commercial activities. In UPE, many children start school, but very few finish Primary Seven because some teachers and school officers impose illegal charges. This is criminal because the government pays for these children, they are not supposed to be charged,” he highlighted.
Muhwezi urged ISO to decisively address this sabotage.
“Once ISO deals with this problem, I believe the country will move forward,” he said.
Muhwezi reminded the recruits of the unique opportunity they had to interact directly with President Museveni.
“As you have seen on television, His Excellency has been lecturing officers from all over the world and the continent. For you, doing basic military intelligence and being able to meet him in person, you are very lucky indeed. Take this as a foundation for your journey of service to the nation.”
ISO Director General, Arthur Mugyenyi said this new generation of officers represented the future of Uganda’s security.
“This intake was carefully selected from 945 potential recruits through a transparent process. Out of these, 312 trainees qualified 207 males and 105 females. They are polished cadres with bachelor’s, master’s, and diploma qualifications across different fields. We are confident that this new blood will bring professionalism, integrity, and fresh energy into the organisation,” Mugyenyi said.
He revealed that the training had gone beyond tactical skills to include ideological grounding, in line with the President’s philosophy of patriotism and Pan-Africanism.
“We have emphasised core-intelligence, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, political ideology, Musevenomics, as well as media and intelligence. The idea is to equip these new officers not only with technical skills but also with a solid ideological foundation to defend and transform the country.”
He also disclosed that ISO is working towards establishing a permanent training facility in Nakasongola to sustain and standardise future programs.
The new officers are expected to be deployed immediately after their pass-out parade on October 17, 2025, with their first task being to reinforce the protection of Uganda’s sovereignty and ensure that government programs are delivered as intended.