Government to fund patriotism clubs
Mar 23, 2009
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has said the Government will fund patriotism clubs in schools in the next national budget (2009-2010) because they are involved in a national effort.
By Raymond Baguma
and Abdulkarim Ssengendo
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has said the Government will fund patriotism clubs in schools in the next national budget (2009-2010) because they are involved in a national effort.
A national secretariat under the President’s Office will coordinate the activities of the clubs, Museveni announced over the weekend at the closure of a three-day workshop on patriotism at Maryhill High School in Mbarara district on Saturday.
The workshop was attended by teachers from Bushenyi, Mbarara, Ibanda, Kiruhuura, Isingiro and Ntungamo districts.
The President defended the patriotism awareness programme, saying it was not a ploy by the NRM party to canvass for support.
He emphasised that the Constitution provides for patriotism in its preamble, adding that article 189 mandates him to inculcate patriotism among Ugandans.
Museveni said it was his constitutional mandate as President to promote patriotism in the country and warned against interference as he exercises his constitutional role.
He said he was not lighting a new fire but stoking up an old one lit when he launched a protracted war under the NRA to defeat dictatorial rule.
“When we fought, we were not paid and we risked our lives. It was because of patriotism. But now as fighters, we are growing old and who should carry on? Therefore, this is not a campaign. It is patriotism building. In other countries, it is called civics. So, those who do not like this idea of patriotism are up to no good,†Museveni said.
The workshop attracted teachers from 262 secondary schools from the six districts. Museveni said during the bush war, people frequently questioned why he was fighting and putting his life at risk.
“They thought I was a vagabond; and why should it be me to change things? But God gave us all things under the sky to govern. So, if you abdicate, who will do the national obligations?†Museveni asked.
He said what Uganda had achieved so far had been possible because of the efforts of patriots who sacrificed their lives and fought to restore peace.
He recalled during the fight against Idi Amin on March 21, 1979, when he met retreating Tanzanian soldiers who had been overpowered, and he led them back to the frontline.
The NRM secretary general, Amama Mbabazi, said the teacher cadres were trained to understand the pitfalls of nation building, the role of science and technology in transforming society, industrialisation and other topics.
In a memorandum read by James Tweheyo, the head teacher of Nyakayojo Secondary School, the teachers said there was inadequate literature on patriotism since Political Education had been scrapped off the school syllabus.
Museveni said Political Education should be on the national curriculum as one of the core subjects for patriotism. He pledged to take up the matter with the ministry of Education and Sports.
The teachers pledged to spread patriotic messages in schools and involve the parents and teachers’ associations in the clubs.
They also vowed to form patriotic clubs in their schools and involve members in various community activities such as tree planting.
Museveni warned the teacher cadres against indiscipline and alleging persecution whenever they are rebuked by the school heads for wrongdoing.
and Abdulkarim Ssengendo
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has said the Government will fund patriotism clubs in schools in the next national budget (2009-2010) because they are involved in a national effort.
A national secretariat under the President’s Office will coordinate the activities of the clubs, Museveni announced over the weekend at the closure of a three-day workshop on patriotism at Maryhill High School in Mbarara district on Saturday.
The workshop was attended by teachers from Bushenyi, Mbarara, Ibanda, Kiruhuura, Isingiro and Ntungamo districts.
The President defended the patriotism awareness programme, saying it was not a ploy by the NRM party to canvass for support.
He emphasised that the Constitution provides for patriotism in its preamble, adding that article 189 mandates him to inculcate patriotism among Ugandans.
Museveni said it was his constitutional mandate as President to promote patriotism in the country and warned against interference as he exercises his constitutional role.
He said he was not lighting a new fire but stoking up an old one lit when he launched a protracted war under the NRA to defeat dictatorial rule.
“When we fought, we were not paid and we risked our lives. It was because of patriotism. But now as fighters, we are growing old and who should carry on? Therefore, this is not a campaign. It is patriotism building. In other countries, it is called civics. So, those who do not like this idea of patriotism are up to no good,†Museveni said.
The workshop attracted teachers from 262 secondary schools from the six districts. Museveni said during the bush war, people frequently questioned why he was fighting and putting his life at risk.
“They thought I was a vagabond; and why should it be me to change things? But God gave us all things under the sky to govern. So, if you abdicate, who will do the national obligations?†Museveni asked.
He said what Uganda had achieved so far had been possible because of the efforts of patriots who sacrificed their lives and fought to restore peace.
He recalled during the fight against Idi Amin on March 21, 1979, when he met retreating Tanzanian soldiers who had been overpowered, and he led them back to the frontline.
The NRM secretary general, Amama Mbabazi, said the teacher cadres were trained to understand the pitfalls of nation building, the role of science and technology in transforming society, industrialisation and other topics.
In a memorandum read by James Tweheyo, the head teacher of Nyakayojo Secondary School, the teachers said there was inadequate literature on patriotism since Political Education had been scrapped off the school syllabus.
Museveni said Political Education should be on the national curriculum as one of the core subjects for patriotism. He pledged to take up the matter with the ministry of Education and Sports.
The teachers pledged to spread patriotic messages in schools and involve the parents and teachers’ associations in the clubs.
They also vowed to form patriotic clubs in their schools and involve members in various community activities such as tree planting.
Museveni warned the teacher cadres against indiscipline and alleging persecution whenever they are rebuked by the school heads for wrongdoing.