First Lady urges youth to dream big
Jan 17, 2010
THE First Lady, Janet Museveni, has appealed to the youth to dream big if they are to contribute to national development.
By Catherine Bekunda
THE First Lady, Janet Museveni, has appealed to the youth to dream big if they are to contribute to national development.
She advised the youth to be obsessed with their dreams in order to achieve them.
“Your preparation years are of great importance if you want to be successful. Are you acquiring virtues or vices at this time?†Mrs. Museveni asked on Friday, while closing a five-day youth conference organised by the Uganda Youth Forum at Kitante Primary School.
The conference discussed HIV/AIDS, drugs and substance abuse, relationships, the media and its influence on the young people.
The Youth Forum, which was founded in 1992 by the First Lady, holds annual dialogues to help the youth grow into responsible citizens.
“Your dream is the main purpose for your life and it must serve other people,†Mrs. Museveni, who is the State Minister for Karamoja, said.
“To operate a sick person and make them better or invent a scientific breakthrough that will take the human race from one stage of development to the next, you must use your time wisely,†she cautioned them.
Quoting the Bible, Mrs. Museveni told the youth that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, which is necessary for them to achieve their dreams.
“Without wisdom, you are skilled at something but ignorant about life, therefore, you are likely to abort your dream,†she warned.
Mrs. Museveni warned the youth against being obsessed with money, saying it had become an evil.
“Today’s parents have become obsessed with money at the expense of their children’s morals,†the First Lady observed.
“Making money is not bad but let it be a means to service for a better life.â€
Mrs. Museveni said her childhood dream of helping the needy has inspired her to work with orphans, rural women and the people of Karamoja among others.
She assured youths that have missed formal education that God would give them the knowledge and power to fulfil and realize their dreams, citing an example of Jesus Christ who never attended formal school but whose teachings marvelled many.
The Headmistress of Kitante primary school, Scholar Ndyagabaki, warned the youths against premarital sex and advised them to abstain and wait for their rightful partner.
“Premarital sex is responsible for the high rates of divorce because youths have tasted many partners,†she explained.
UYF board chairman, Dr. James Magara advised the youths to be fore sighted and innovative.
“Purposely work towards achieving your dreams and don’t play around with your sexuality,†he advised.
Renowned educationist, Fagil Mande one of the conference facilitators, noted with concern the existence of a parenting crisis in the country.
“The children are ruling the parents; it is not rare to see a mother carrying a suitcase as her daughter walks around freely. The Domestic Relations Bill must address bigger issues like the role of parents in order to educate the parents and improve family relations,†he said. He advised the youth to look for resourceful people in their quest to achieve their dreams.
United Nations country representative Theophane Nikyema said “young people are the gateway to an HIV/AIDS free generation and hold the key to a better Uganda.â€
He pledged more support to youth programmes in the country.
The conference which was among others sponsored by the New Vision was attended by more than 1000 youths from across the country.
THE First Lady, Janet Museveni, has appealed to the youth to dream big if they are to contribute to national development.
She advised the youth to be obsessed with their dreams in order to achieve them.
“Your preparation years are of great importance if you want to be successful. Are you acquiring virtues or vices at this time?†Mrs. Museveni asked on Friday, while closing a five-day youth conference organised by the Uganda Youth Forum at Kitante Primary School.
The conference discussed HIV/AIDS, drugs and substance abuse, relationships, the media and its influence on the young people.
The Youth Forum, which was founded in 1992 by the First Lady, holds annual dialogues to help the youth grow into responsible citizens.
“Your dream is the main purpose for your life and it must serve other people,†Mrs. Museveni, who is the State Minister for Karamoja, said.
“To operate a sick person and make them better or invent a scientific breakthrough that will take the human race from one stage of development to the next, you must use your time wisely,†she cautioned them.
Quoting the Bible, Mrs. Museveni told the youth that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, which is necessary for them to achieve their dreams.
“Without wisdom, you are skilled at something but ignorant about life, therefore, you are likely to abort your dream,†she warned.
Mrs. Museveni warned the youth against being obsessed with money, saying it had become an evil.
“Today’s parents have become obsessed with money at the expense of their children’s morals,†the First Lady observed.
“Making money is not bad but let it be a means to service for a better life.â€
Mrs. Museveni said her childhood dream of helping the needy has inspired her to work with orphans, rural women and the people of Karamoja among others.
She assured youths that have missed formal education that God would give them the knowledge and power to fulfil and realize their dreams, citing an example of Jesus Christ who never attended formal school but whose teachings marvelled many.
The Headmistress of Kitante primary school, Scholar Ndyagabaki, warned the youths against premarital sex and advised them to abstain and wait for their rightful partner.
“Premarital sex is responsible for the high rates of divorce because youths have tasted many partners,†she explained.
UYF board chairman, Dr. James Magara advised the youths to be fore sighted and innovative.
“Purposely work towards achieving your dreams and don’t play around with your sexuality,†he advised.
Renowned educationist, Fagil Mande one of the conference facilitators, noted with concern the existence of a parenting crisis in the country.
“The children are ruling the parents; it is not rare to see a mother carrying a suitcase as her daughter walks around freely. The Domestic Relations Bill must address bigger issues like the role of parents in order to educate the parents and improve family relations,†he said. He advised the youth to look for resourceful people in their quest to achieve their dreams.
United Nations country representative Theophane Nikyema said “young people are the gateway to an HIV/AIDS free generation and hold the key to a better Uganda.â€
He pledged more support to youth programmes in the country.
The conference which was among others sponsored by the New Vision was attended by more than 1000 youths from across the country.