MUSEVENI TO STUDENT LEADERS: YOU NEED UGANDA FOR YOUR PROSPERITY.

President Yoweri Kaguta has urged student leaders to always emphasize the four core principles of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) because they are crucial in the creation of prosperity and development.  “The four principles of the NRM; Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, Socio-economic transformation and democracy are not principles just because we love them, No! They have a clear logic,” he said.

The President made the remarks today during the pass- out ceremony of over 800 student leaders from various institutions of higher learning across the country who have been undergoing a two-week patriotism training at Nkumba University.

He said if someone is patriotic and loves his country, he will be able to support his fellow Ugandans irrespective of their tribe or religion. According to Museveni, Uganda is a better stimulus for wealth creators than the tribal areas and that is why the NRM government advocates for patriotism which is key in steering prosperity among Ugandans.

“The starting point was do we want a country of parasites or a country of wealth creators? If you say we want a country of wealth creators, then you come to Yoweri Museveni who is a wealth creator from birth. His wealth happens to be around cows and crops. The cows produce milk and beef and he also grows bananas,” he said.

“Now the problem which Museveni has and must be solved by ideology is that the Banyankore around him produce the same products. Therefore, Munyankore “A” does not buy from Munyankore “B” and vice versa. Why? Because they are producing the same products. So, I am stuck, I need to get money to build my family a better house, get more clothes for my family. All that needs money, which means Museveni, a wealth creator, needs people to buy his products. So, who is my saviour? They are the people in other areas like Kampala who do not produce milk, beef or grow bananas.”

President Museveni further revealed that since the 1960s, they have been advocating for politics of interest as opposed to the politics of identity which is detrimental to the development of Uganda.

“When someone comes and starts saying “we the Banyankore”, I say satan leave me alone because if I listen to him,  then I will be an enemy of the Banyankore first and foremost because I am going to step in their feeding plate of Uganda. Have you ever seen poverty which is Christian or Islamic? Poverty is poverty. Now if someone comes to buy my milk or bananas, do I care what religion he is? If you care, that is stupidity,” he expounded.

“Here on earth, you are dealing with socio-economic issues mainly and religion assists us to keep pure. Therefore, identity is fake medicine because my sickness is poverty, I want to treat my poverty and when you tell me religion, tribes, it will not solve my problem. That’s why patriotism is principle number one. That is why from the 1960s we rejected the politics of identity and went for the politics of interest which benefits all Ugandans.”

President Museveni also encouraged the students to join the money economy through the sectors of the economy which include commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT. He said this will help them to fight poverty and create wealth. “You should focus on wealth creation and demand support from the government. Those who are demanding government jobs, the right way is the army, I welcome you.”

On the issue of stopping students from sitting for exams due to fees balance, the President assured the student leaders that the government was going to get a solution for the challenge.

The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni expressed optimism that the student leaders’ time spent at the training has been transformational and will help the nation to create a critical mass of young people who love their homeland enough and are ready to pay the price for its transformation.

“I therefore urge you, to seize every opportunity to educate the people in your communities, about the importance of adopting the spirit of Patriotism, and to avoid falling victim to those who use the campaign period, to divide our people instead of uniting them. Please know that a house divided against itself cannot stand, this is a spiritual law. And it is always useful for everybody to learn early in life that one has got only one homeland on planet earth, there is no choice you have,” she said.

The First Lady also thanked the leadership of the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps led by Commissioner Hellen Seku for bringing together the student leaders across Uganda to take part in the pertinent training.

The Minister for Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda commended President Museveni for the peace and security in the country. “Your Excellency, during the struggle for a free Uganda, the majority of the fighters were youths who had attended college. These young people sat down and analyzed the bad politics of their country, and they understood what needed to be done after listening to your message. We commend those who are still alive and celebrate the lives of those who are departed,” she said.

The Commissioner in-charge of the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC)- Office of the President expressed heartfelt gratitude to President Museveni and the First Lady for their unwavering support to the Education sector and for giving opportunity to the girl child to attain Education in Uganda.

“We thank you for shaping the future of our young Ugandans and also for the wealth creation campaign that you are carrying out countrywide to ensure that by 2040 every Ugandan shall be above the poverty line.”

At the same event, the outstanding participants during the training were awarded.