Obua passes out 1,464 patriots at Kitende Secondary School
Speaking during the ceremony, Hon. Obua said the patriotism training was aimed at shaping students’ understanding of their role in protecting and serving the country while promoting collective responsibility among citizens.
NRM Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda, Hon. Denis Hamson Obua has presided over the passing-out ceremony of 1,464 patriots at Kitende Secondary School, urging students to embrace patriotism, unity, discipline and responsibility in building Uganda’s future.
Speaking during the ceremony, Hon. Obua said the patriotism training was aimed at shaping students’ understanding of their role in protecting and serving the country while promoting collective responsibility among citizens.
He encouraged the students to learn from stories of resilience and unity, citing the Japanese tale of a young man who carried his deceased brother and said, “He is not heavy, he is my brother,” a phrase he described as a symbol of unity and compassion.
Uganda’s History and the Need for Patriotism
Hon. Obua challenged the students to reflect on Uganda’s past and understand why patriotism remains important.
He recalled the political instability the country experienced before 1986, when Uganda went through several changes in leadership and periods of turmoil. He credited President Yoweri Museveni and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) for restoring peace and stability, which he said paved the way for the 1995 Constitution.
“The first duty is to be loyal to Uganda,” Obua told the students, emphasizing that every citizen has a responsibility to protect the country from threats in all directions peace and development
The NRM Vice Chairperson highlighted the transformation Uganda has undergone, contrasting the insecurity of the past with the current period of relative peace.
He recalled a time when travelling through areas such as Karuma required military escorts, saying the improved security environment had opened opportunities for development.
According to Obua, the government has expanded access to education, infrastructure, and economic opportunities, including establishing universities across different regions and supporting wealth creation programmes for citizens.
Students Urged to Pursue Excellence
Hon. Obua encouraged the newly passed-out patriots to combine patriotism with academic excellence and positive values.
He urged them to embrace discipline, love for one another, loyalty, and optimism while avoiding behaviours that could negatively affect their future.
“Always try to be on the side of success,” he advised, warning that involvement in crime and destructive lifestyles could isolate individuals from society.
He also pledged to follow up on issues raised by the students in their memorandum, including matters concerning traditional schools.
A Milestone in Patriotism Education
In his closing remarks, Hon. Obua thanked the school administration, parents, and board members for supporting patriotism education.
He said the students would one day have the opportunity to inspire future generations with messages of unity, responsibility, and national pride.
The ceremony marked another milestone in Kitende Secondary School’s patriotism programme, with 1,464 students officially passing out as patriots.
