President Yoweri Kaguta has urged student leaders to always emphasise 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 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 President 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” doesn’t buy from Munyankore “B” and vice versa. Why? Because they are producing the same products. So, I’m 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 don’t 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’m 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’s 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 highlighted the roles of other NRM principles in transforming the society.
“Principle number two is Pan-Africanism. Love Africa because you need it for your prosperity. Principle number three is socio-economic transformation. We must have a new society. Here we say that for society to grow, things must change. The NRM must be clear that the peasants disappear by becoming new people; middle class,” he said.
“How do we create a middle class? Through education for all but down there, your people made it stuck because they charge fees. When you go back make sure you mobilise your colleagues and we really have free education in government schools. The second way is bonna bagagawale (Prosperity for all). If you all get money, you will change your ways of life. The fourth one is democracy.”
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 would 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 find a solution to the challenge.