President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged university student leaders to champion wealth creation, ideological clarity and peaceful leadership, saying young leaders must understand society’s problems and offer solutions rather than embrace dependency.
The President met leaders of the Inter-University Guild Leaders Network at State Lodge, Nakasero, where he challenged them to ground their leadership in analysis, responsibility and productivity.
“Society is like medicine because a doctor looks at a patient and says what is this patient suffering from?” President Museveni said. “That’s what politics should be and even you people should understand what are the problems of your society.”
Drawing from his own student experience, the President said the study of political economy helped him and his peers understand how societies evolve and how leadership should respond to real challenges.
President Museveni said the NRM’s ideological struggle since the 1960s has focused on wealth creation, warning against a culture of dependence.
“We must have a society of wealth creators, not parasites,” he said. “Once you are a wealth creator, you become responsible. Families of wealth creators build a strong society.”
Using his experience as a cattle keeper, the President explained the importance of markets, patriotism and regional integration, noting that production without access to wider markets limits prosperity.
“That is why NRM talks about patriotism, love Uganda because you need it for your own good,” he said. “And when Uganda’s internal market is not enough, you need the East African market. That is why you must love Africa for your prosperity.”
The President emphasised ideology as a structured way of understanding society that guides political, social and economic decisions, cautioning student leaders against violence.
“You cannot have ideology in your head and then go for violence,” President Museveni said. “Violence destroys what you and others have jointly built through taxes.”
He urged student leaders to exercise discipline and judgment in decision-making, stressing that confrontation should only be used as a last resort.
“Fighting is like surgery. It is only used when other methods have failed, and even then, it must be targeted, not random,” he said.
President Museveni also encouraged the leaders to use digital platforms and mass communication tools to mobilise and engage their peers.
“Use social media and other remote means like radios and SMS to communicate and mobilize,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Inter-University Guild Leaders Network, James Ssentamu said the meeting focused on identifying ways student leadership can benefit both universities and the country.
“The idea is to see how best we can benefit students from our universities as well as the country,” Mr. Ssentamu said.
He added that the network remains committed to promoting peace, stability and dialogue within universities and other tertiary institutions.
The meeting brought together guild presidents from Makerere University, Gulu University, Uganda Christian University, Kyambogo University, Makerere University Business School, Ankole University, Rubirizi Institute, Medcare Health Professionals and other institutions.
