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KAMPALA - President Yoweri Museveni has commended the National Patriotism Environmental Protection campaign for coming out strongly to protect the environment, mainly wetlands that have been grossly abused and encroached on by people he preferred to call enemies of the country.

Museveni commended Kitebi Secondary School in Rubaga Division and other schools that have joined the National Patriotism Tree Planting Campaign, for bearing in mind the issue of the environment.

“I thank you for bearing in mind the issue of the environment because this is life. Water is life and when you see people encroaching on wetlands and Lakeshores and riverbanks, they are enemies of the country,” the President said. He was accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs. Janet Museveni, the minister of education and sports.

Some of the students who were trained and commissioned into the Patriotism Club. (All Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba)

At the school, they were welcomed by among others, Hellen Seku, the commissioner for patriotism and the head teacher of Kitebi Secondary School, Hajji Muhammed Kamulegeya who hosted other students and teachers from various schools in Kampala.

Present were Milly Babalanda, minister for the Presidency, Hajati Hammis Kabanda, minister for Kampala affairs, Hajji Yunus Kakande, permanent secretary office of the President, among others.

The President explained that he has land in Kisozi in Gomba district, Rwakitura in Kiruhura district, and in Ntungamo district with Maama Janet.

President Yoweri Museveni and the First Lady, Mrs. Janet Museveni speak to officials on arrival for the launch of the National Patriotic Environment Protection campaign at Kitebi Secondary School in Kampala on April 19, 2024.

“But we don’t encroach on the papyrus because it was put there by God, and me, a cattle keeper and son of Amos Kaguta I cannot dare to interrupt God’s plan and instead put a garden,” he said and told the people that he fears to destroy the environment because God would not be happy with them.

He however said he is glad that schools are coming up strongly on the issue of the environment campaign.

He reassured Ugandans that the Government would chase people who settled in wetlands.

Some of the students who were trained and commissioned into the Patriotism Club.

“We already warned people to leave the wetlands. But those who settled in wetlands in Busoga, Bukedi, and Kigezi were misled by the British colonialists, we shall compensate them and help them to get out,” he explained, adding that the rest who settled in wetlands do not have reasons why they continue to live in wetlands.

He said people who encroach on wetlands are showing signs of defiance. “I am glad you the people of Kitebi are taking up this campaign.”

The President also warned students and youths in general not to neglect their health by engaging in multiple relationships.

A student leads the crowds into prayer.

“I tell you my bazzukulu (grandchildren), it is not wise to neglect your health and engage in multiple relationships,” he told the students, adding it was improper for a student to choose to become a wife when still in school or for a boy to turn into married man, wondering why they have to hurry or rush to engage in marriage affairs.

“We know what we are telling you, we lost many people because of those mistakes, you should not hurry,” he stressed, adding that he has an uncle at the age of 104 years and is staying with him at his home in Nakasero, Kampala.

Some of the students showcase the skills they underwent as they were commissioned into the Patriotism Club.

“If he protected himself from 4 years up to 24 when he started a home and remained in his marriage, it means he has been there for 80 years, but if he had hurried up he would have died probably at the age of 30.”

Referring to the testimony of one of the students, Florence Nakawuka, a Senior Six student of Kitebi SS, the President said the student confirmed that it is unwise to start a relationship when still young. He said when they become adults, they should still stick to one partner.

Nakawuka told the President it is indeed not advisable for students to get married while still in school because as women they have an opportunity to study and get a bright future.

The head teacher Kitebi Secondary School, Hajji Muhammed Kamulegeya talks to the President on arrival at Kitebi SS. Left is KCCA executive director and Hajji Yunus Kakande (2nd L), the permanent secretary office of the president.

The First Lady thanked Kitebi SS for holding high the flag of patriotism by correctly implementing government programs.

She explained that the National Patriotism Environmental Protection Campaign lends an additional goal and energy to the NRM government's efforts to raise awareness about the urgency of combating global warming worldwide.

"I commend the NRM government for establishing this national program that is ably led by the National Secretariat for Patriotism headed by Commander Seku. I am told that the secretariat has diligently promoted patriotism in our schools thus enabling our young people to embrace the spirit of love for their country," she said.

Centre is retired Bishop Eria Paul Luzinda with other clergy at the function.

The First Lady added, "Creating awareness and teaching our young generation about patriotism is critical to fostering unity, our national identity, and our heritage thus inspiring young people to choose to love their homeland, develop our country, and build a legacy for generations to come."

Minister Babalanda informed the President that the Office of the President is determined to roll out patriotism activities in the country.

Hajj Kamulegeya told the President that choosing Kitebi SS to host such a national event confirmed its status as a model Universal Secondary Education (USE) school in the country.

(L-R) KCCA executive director, Dorothy Kisaka, Permanent Secretary Office of the President, Hajji Yunus Kakande, Hellen Seku, commissioner patriotism and minister for the presidency, Milly Babalanda.

"We shall forever be grateful for your endless support towards this school and the nation at large,” he said. 

He commended the President and the First Lady for their visionary leadership, which he said is reflected in the original 10-point program which includes but is not limited to Patriotism, Pan- Africanism, Socio-economic transformation, Environmental protection, Education, Health, Peace and security, and Poverty alleviation. 

President Museveni and the First Lady, Janet Museveni with students at Kitebi Secondary School.

“I would like to thank you for the numerous accomplishments achieved through the various government programs,” he said.

Kitebi is an outstanding KCCA school where the KCCA executive director Dorothy Kisaka launched the Smart City Ambassadors program in 2023. 

Kisaka says the program aims at raising awareness among the youth that the Smart City Agenda requires the participation of everyone, including the children, who she says are the future leaders.

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President Yoweri Museveni and the First Lady, Mrs. Janet Museveni commission a block named YK Museveni at Kitebi SS on April 19, 2024.

President Yoweri Museveni and the First Lady, Mrs. Janet Museveni commissioned a block named YK Museveni at Kitebi Secondary School, on April 19, 2024.

People carrying trees they received at the function.

The First Lady thanked Kitebi SS for holding high the flag of patriotism by correctly implementing government programs.

Eddy Kenzo entertains crowds at the function.

Kololo High School band entertains guests at the function.

KCCA executive director, Dorothy Kisaka, with the Permanent Secretary, Office of the President, Hajji Yunus Kakande.

Hellen Seku introducing some of the guests to the President.

Officials chat as they waited to receive President Yoweri Museveni.