All Senior Six Graduates to Undergo Patriotism Training at Kyankwanzi

All students completing Senior Six in Uganda will be required to attend a six-month patriotism training program at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi. This renewed government initiative, announced by Hellen Seku, Commissioner of the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC), aims to foster discipline, national identity, and responsibility among young Ugandans.

The program is set to commence this year, with participants undergoing ideological sessions, drills, and parades. Seku emphasized that the training is designed to instill good values and extend patriotism education beyond schools to other societal sectors, including higher learning institutions and the informal economy.

This initiative revives a past program that similarly brought young people together for ideological training. Recollections from former participants, like Gadgar Kibayo Arinitwe who trained in 1993, highlight the lasting impact of the values acquired, shaping their life outlook.

Furthermore, educators and coordinators who have not yet undergone the training will also be required to complete refresher courses. The NSPC is mandated to reach various demographics, including students in tertiary institutions and those in the informal sector, ensuring a broad reach of the patriotism message.

The training covers a wide range of topics, including security, national identity, discipline, Pan-Africanism, and Uganda’s political history. Students who recently completed a week-long program at Immaculate Heart Girls’ Secondary School Nyakibale highlighted benefits such as increased responsibility, discipline, improved Kiswahili proficiency, and resilience developed through rigorous drills. They also gained insights into environmental protection, entrepreneurship, and integrity.

Local officials and educators have welcomed the program, stressing its importance in nurturing responsible citizenship and preparing students for future challenges. They urged trainees to apply the learned values in their communities and professions, emphasizing discipline, integrity, and service.

Source: https://statehouse.go.ug/all-senior-six-vacists-to-undergo-patriotism-training-at-nali