PHOTOGRAPHY: President Museveni praises National Patriotism tree planting campaign

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KAMPALA – President Yoweri Museveni has praised the National Environmental Protection Patriotism campaign for staunchly defending the environment, mainly the wetlands that have been severely abused and invaded by people he preferred to call enemies of the country.

Museveni praised Kitebi Secondary School in Rubaga Division and other schools that have joined the National Tree Planting Campaign for Patriotism, for taking into account the issue of the environment.

“I thank you for keeping the issue of the environment in mind because that is life. Water is life and when you see people invading wetlands, the shores of lakes and rivers, they are enemies of the country,” said the President. He was accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs. Janet Museveni, the Minister of Education and Sports.

Some of the students who were trained and commissioned into the Patriotism Club. (All photos by Eddie Ssejjoba)

At the school, they were welcomed by, among others, Hellen Seku, Commissioner for Patriotism, and Kitebi Secondary School Principal Hajji Muhammed Kamulegeya, who received other students and teachers from various schools in Kampala.

Present were Milly Babalanda, Minister of the Presidency, Hajati Hammis Kabanda, Minister of Kampala Affairs, Hajji Yunus Kakande, Permanent Secretary to the President, among others.

The President explained that he has land in Kisozi in Gomba District, in Rwakitura in Kiruhura District and in Ntungamo District with Maama Janet.

President Yoweri Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni speak to officials upon arrival for the launch of the National Patriotic Environment Protection campaign at Kitebi Secondary School in Kampala on April 19, 2024.

“But we did not invade the papyrus because it was put there by God, and I, a cattle farmer and son of Amos Kaguta, cannot dare to interrupt God’s plan and put a garden in its place,” he said and told the people that They are afraid of destroying the environment because God would not be happy with them.

However, he is pleased that the schools are strongly addressing the issue of the environmental campaign.

He assured Ugandans that the Government would pursue people settling in the wetlands.

Some of the students who were trained and commissioned into the Patriotism Club.

“We already warned people to leave the wetlands. But those who settled in the Busoga, Bukedi and Kigezi wetlands were deceived by the British colonialists, we will compensate them and help them get out,” he explained, adding that the rest who settled in the wetlands have no reason to continue. live in wetlands.

He said people encroaching on wetlands are showing signs of defiance. “I am glad that the people of Kitebi are undertaking this campaign.”

The President also warned students and young people in general not to neglect their health by entering into multiple relationships.

A student leads the crowd in prayer.

“I tell you, my bazzukulu (grandchildren), that it is not wise to neglect your health and enter into multiple relationships,” she told the students, adding that it was inappropriate for a student to choose to become a wife while still in school or for a child to marry. become a married man, wondering why they have to rush or rush to get involved in marital matters.

“We know what we are telling you, we lost a lot of people because of those mistakes, you should not rush,” he stressed, adding that he has a 104-year-old uncle and he stays with him at his house in Nakasero. Kampala.

Some of the students show off the skills they acquired when they were commissioned into the Patriotism Club.

“If you protected yourself from age 4 to 24 when you started a home and stayed in your marriage, that means you’ve been there for 80 years, but if you had rushed you would have probably died at age 30.”

Referring to the testimony of one of the students, Florence Nakawuka, a final year student of Kitebi SS, the president said the student confirmed that it is not wise to start a relationship while still young. She said that when they become adults, they should stick with one partner.

Nakawuka told the President that it is actually not advisable for students to get married while they are still in school because as women, they have the opportunity to study and have a bright future.

Kitebi Secondary School Principal Hajji Muhammed Kamulegeya speaks to the President upon his arrival at Kitebi SS. On the left is the CEO of the KCCA and Hajji Yunus Kakande (second from left), the president’s permanent secretary.

The First Lady thanked Kitebi SS for keeping the flag of patriotism high by properly implementing government programmes.

He explained that the National Environmental Protection Patriotism Campaign brings additional focus and energy to the NRM government’s efforts to raise awareness about the urgency of combating global warming around the world.

“I congratulate the NRM government for establishing this national program which is ably led by the National Secretariat for Patriotism headed by Commander Seku. I am told that the secretariat has diligently promoted patriotism in our schools, thereby enabling our youth to embrace the spirit of love. for his country,” he said.

In the center is retired bishop Eria Paul Luzinda with other clerics at the function.

The First Lady added: “Raising awareness and teaching our young generation about patriotism is essential to foster unity, our national identity and our heritage, thereby inspiring young people to choose to love their homeland, develop our country and build a legacy for generations.” come.”

Minister Babalanda informed the President that the Presidency of the Republic is determined to deploy patriotic activities in the country.

Hajj Kamulegeya told the President that choosing Kitebi SS to host such a national event confirmed its status as a Universal Secondary Education (USE) model school in the country.

(LR) KCCA Chief Executive Officer Dorothy Kisaka, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President Hajji Yunus Kakande, Hellen Seku, Commissioner for Patriotism and Minister in the Presidency Milly Babalanda.

“We will always be grateful for your endless support for this school and the nation at large,” he said.

He congratulated the President and the First Lady for their visionary leadership, which he said is reflected in the original 10-point program which includes, among others, patriotism, pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation, environmental protection, education, health, Peace and security, and poverty alleviation.

President Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni with students from Kitebi Secondary School.

“I would like to thank you for the many achievements achieved through the various government programs,” he said.

Kitebi is a prominent KCCA school where KCCA CEO Dorothy Kisaka launched the Smart City Ambassadors program in 2023.

Kisaka says the program aims to raise awareness among young people that the Smart City Agenda requires the participation of everyone, including children, who she believes are the future leaders.

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President Yoweri Museveni and First Lady Mrs Janet Museveni commission a block named YK Museveni at Kitebi SS on April 19, 2024.

President Yoweri Museveni and First Lady Mrs Janet Museveni commissioned a block named YK Museveni at Kitebi Secondary School on April 19, 2024.