Mbarara City – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has passed out 1,372 secondary school teachers from Greater Mbarara and Ntungamo regions who completed a patriotism training course at Ntare School in Mbarara City.
The week-long training, held under the theme “Transforming Teachers’ Lives through Patriotism”, ran from August 26 to September 2, 2025.
While congratulating the teachers, President Museveni commended Ms. Hellen Seku and the National Patriotism Secretariat instructors for what he described as effective training in a short time.
He explained that the patriotism campaign launched in 2009 was essential for national development: “It is dangerous to have educated citizens who do not know what is required to live a good life. Leadership, like medicine, needs a correct diagnosis of society; otherwise, the country fails,” Museveni said.
The President recalled how the NRM government identified Uganda’s core challenges upon taking power, formulating the three historical missions and the four principles of NRM: patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation, and democracy.
“Prosperity for regions like Ankole or Buganda depends on Uganda as a whole. Patriotism is not emotional—you love your country because you need it for your own good,” he stressed.
Museveni also emphasised Pan-Africanism for expanding markets, noting that once Ugandans begin producing in large quantities, local markets alone will not be sufficient.
Salary Enhancement and Payroll Reforms
On teacher welfare, the President defended the government’s decision to prioritise scientists’ salaries, saying Uganda urgently needs professionals like engineers, doctors, and agricultural scientists to drive transformation.
“It’s not that we don’t want to pay others well, but we started with scientists because of urgency. Arts teachers will also be paid well in due course. Even artisan teachers deserve better pay because they are scientists in their own right,” Museveni noted.
He also vowed to address reports of bribes in teacher recruitment and payroll access.
President Museveni urged teachers to become wealth creators through commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT, saying this would complement government efforts in socio-economic transformation.
First Lady Praises Training Initiative
The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, congratulated the teachers, saying the training would not only transform schools but also renew teachers’ commitment to nation-building.
She emphasised that teachers shape patriotism in young people: “The time a teacher spends in a child’s life is invaluable in teaching love for country and prioritising national interests over personal gain,” she said.
She further advocated for sacrificial service, citing nations that developed through dedication despite limited resources.
Ms. Hellen Seku, Commissioner of the National Patriotism Secretariat, said the training followed requests from teachers who wanted to be change agents in their communities.
The Head Teacher of Ntare School, Mr. Saul Rwampororo, revealed that participants came from seven districts and Mbarara City, receiving both patriotism lectures and parade drills from professionals.
On behalf of the trainees, Mr. Perez Asiimwe appreciated the opportunity, noting that the program covered topics like East African integration, Pan-Africanism, patriotism, political economy, and financial literacy.
He also thanked the President for enhancing science teachers’ salaries and engaging arts teachers ahead of their 2026–2027 salary adjustments.
