President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commissioned 1,372 secondary school teachers from Greater Mbarara and Ntungamo regions after completing a patriotism course at Ntare School, Mbarara City.
The three-week training, which began on August 26, 2025, was conducted under the theme “Transforming Teachers’ Lives Through Patriotism.”
Speaking at the pass-out ceremony on Friday, President Museveni congratulated the teachers and praised the facilitators for their efforts.
“I want to thank Hellen Seku and the instructors for training you very well in such a short time,” he said.
Museveni stressed that patriotism is essential for national progress, comparing leadership to medicine where accurate diagnosis is key.
“It is very dangerous to have citizens, especially educated people, who don’t know what is required to live a good life,” the President said. “Similarly, leaders must have a correct diagnosis of society, or it will fail.”
He reminded the teachers that when the National Resistance Movement (NRM) took power, it defined three historical missions and four core principles to guide the country—patriotism, pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation, and democracy.
“Patriotism is not emotional; you love because you need it for your own good. If you care about Ankole but don’t care about Uganda, you are not serious because Uganda is the one which helps the Banyankore and other tribes to be prosperous,” he explained.
The President also emphasized pan-Africanism as a solution to Uganda’s surplus production challenges, noting that the country produces more milk, maize, and sugar than it consumes locally. “That’s why the NRM says you people love Uganda but also love East Africa and Africa,” he said.
On teacher welfare, Museveni defended the government’s decision to prioritize salary enhancement for scientists, saying it was based on urgency. He, however, assured arts and artisan teachers that their pay will be improved.
“I’m glad that now you seem to understand, and we are moving systematically. Arts teachers will also be paid well. Artisan teachers should also be paid like scientists. I will sort that out because artisans are scientists,” he said.
The President also pledged to tackle corruption in teacher recruitment and urged them to embrace wealth creation through commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT.
First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, congratulated the teachers, saying the training would transform schools and impact learners.
“The time a teacher spends in the life of a child is valuable in moulding what it means to love one’s country,” she said, praising the National Patriotism Secretariat for keeping “the fire of patriotism burning.”
Hellen Seku, Commissioner of the Secretariat, said the training was designed to empower teachers to serve as role models and instill values of patriotism and discipline in learners.
Ntare School head teacher Saul Rwampororo revealed that the teachers were drawn from Mbarara City, Mbarara District, Ntungamo, Rwampara, Isingiro, Ibanda, Kiruhura, and Kazo.
On behalf of the trainees, Perez Asiimwe thanked the President and facilitators, saying the training enhanced their understanding of patriotism, Pan-Africanism, financial literacy, and the principles of the NRM.
“We are indebted to you for enhancing science teachers’ salaries and for your commitment to improve arts teachers’ pay by 2026/27. This shows that you really care for the bazzukulu,” he said.
The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, trainers, and education stakeholders.
