First Lady cautions youth against self-entitlement mentality

First Lady Janet Museveni has cautioned youth against having a self-entitlement mentality, saying it has disastrous consequences.

She asked the youth to banish the notion of an inflated sense of self-worth, which is trashy.

First Lady said the achievement is a result of a gradual process of both smart and hard work, in addition to humility.

"Many of our young people want to live a good life. They have that spirit of entitlement. People do not appreciate skills yet we need skills for national development," she said.

The First Lady made the remarks on Friday at Kololo Independence Grounds, while officiating at a symposium on career guidance day. 

The pioneer event was organised by empowerment organisation Incredible Youth International, under chief executive officer Brian Ntwatwa.

The symposium, attended by several secondary schools, was held under the theme ‘Preparing students with soft skills to become the competent global force'.

The First Lady, also the education minister, commended the organisation's suggestion to interest the government in launching a national career guidance day for Uganda.

However, she explained that such an undertaking requires extensive discourse on the format and mode, before it is gazetted as a national day.

She challenged youth to fully execute assignments as instructed by superiors, saying it is part of the growth process.

She applauded President Yoweri Museveni's unwavering commitment to progress, exhibited over time as a patriot pan-Africanist, with a mission of emancipation through political, social and economic liberation.

"As you may know by now, it is the same calling that the President embraced right from his youthful days to champion positive transformation and development not only for his kith and kin but for all people of Uganda and humanity in general," she said.

"It is with this background in mind that one may easily appreciate why the National Resistance Movement government, and indeed my ministry of education and sports, attaches great importance to the need to strengthen the career guidance function and efforts."

Prior, entrepreneur Patrick Bitature tipped the youth to master the elementary things in life, saying the extraordinary will be placed effortlessly.

He noted that the key element to understanding life is listening and paying attention. Bitature explained that the country is blessed with fortune that awaits exploitation.

"Uganda today is offering you opportunities. Some will see it and seize it, some will not see it. Be good at basics. Communicate clearly. Master the basics and you will succeed," said Bitature.

The chairman Simba Group of Companies observed that some youth ignore lessons from Uganda's past and think it is not worth discussing, in relation to the post-1986 peace and stability ushered in by President Museveni.

"Do not forget our history. If you don't cherish this peace that we have, we are not going anywhere. NRM has given you the space to excel," said Bitature.

"Build a network of people. Time is your best ally. I advise the youth, don't feel you are entitled. When you come out of school, you are entitled to nothing."

Pastor Grace Lubega of the Phaneroo church movement, tasked the youth to strive for uniqueness and shun the copycat mentality.