Ugandans tipped on patriotism, national symbols

Ugandans have been urged to embrace the values inherent in the national symbols, in order to contribute to the country's oneness and national development.

Dr. Paddy Musana, the Principal Investigator of the National Symbols and Values: Implications for Patriotism and National Development, project, said the national symbols including the anthem, speak of the beauty of the country that every Ugandan needs to embrace and promote.

"When you sing the national anthem, you will not miss the sun, the fertile soils, and the beauty of the people of Uganda. The coat of arms too has a lot it speaks about the country's endowments. Our call is upon all of us to critically reflect on our roles and responsibilities; not looking to the different arms of government, but as individuals," he noted.

Musana also noted that much as the country is endowed, there is a growing indifference among Ugandans.

He observed that Ugandans need to realise that they are the building blocks of the country and they are supposed to make a contribution to national development.

The national symbols and values project was designed to train people in discovering the inherent values evident in the three national symbols; the Uganda Flag, the Crested Crane, and the National Anthem.

Musana said they have translated these symbols into some of the local languages such as Luganda, Ateso, Acholi, and Runyoro-Rutooro.

"Besides national development, our advocacy in this project is for individuals to work at their own welfare because our guiding philosophy is that you cannot give what you do not have. So if an individual cannot work for self-development, there is no way they can work for national development," he noted.

Musana made the remarks during a workshop that brought together coordinators of patriotism at the district and school levels from Mukono, Kayunga, and Buikwe districts.

Speaking at the same event, the RDC of Mukono, Fred Bamwine observed that there is a need for patriotism to be continuously entrenched among the citizenry.

"Everywhere I go, you will find me putting on something depicting the national colours. It could be a scarf, a lapel pin, or anything. This helps to rub it into people's minds that our country is beautiful and that we love it. I follow that the principle that in order for people to appreciate a brand, you need to rub it in their faces," he said.

Some of the issues raised by the coordinators during the meeting include; high levels of corruption, unemployment, sexual harassment in institutions of learning, and sex for marks among others, which they said affects the spirit of patriotism.