Patriotism essential for development

Mar 05, 2009

EDITOR— I concur with President Yoweri Museveni that there is an urgent need to roll out a patriotism programme in our education system.

EDITOR— I concur with President Yoweri Museveni that there is an urgent need to roll out a patriotism programme in our education system.

We are a nation of young people with a new generation entering the electorate at every election. Each generation imagines the “Uganda that can be”. The Uganda that we imagine that can be today may be obsolete tomorrow.

In this era of competitive politics, most of our politicians
have proved to us that they cannot be relied upon to make sound decisions.

The majority of them are corrupt, selfish, lack patriotism, are tribalistic and cannot distinguish between friendship and national interest. They have mastered the politics of divide-and-rule, hatred, suspicion, negativism, cynicism and intolerance.

Most of our politicians have tended to become short-term maximers.
They embrace the symbols of patriotism in words without deeds,
saluting the national flag, singing the national anthem and reciting the national motto are not enough.

Patriotism must be embedded in our hearts. This, therefore, calls for a new spirit of patriotism and mutual trust.

Politics should be a means of serving the people, building cohesion and making a difference in people’s lives rather than self-enrichment.

Let us learn to work together by avoiding issues that divide our nation.

A country like ours which is defined by the co-existence of different ethnic groups, religions and cultures cannot afford such divisive politics. One of the major hallmarks of a modern society is its ability and willingness to intellectually engage other societies.

What holds us together is so much powerful than what divides us.

Mugisha Rodney Kampala

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