The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Deputy Commander of the 4th Infantry Division, Col Jackson Kayanja, has urged the newly graduated students from Gulu College of Health Sciences to become proactive agents of positive change and advocates of peace throughout the East African region.
The message was delivered during the closure of a week-long Patriotic Development Course held at the college’s Laro-Pece Division campus on September 10, 2024.
Representing Brig Gen Felix Busizoori, the Commander of the 4th Infantry Division, Col Kayanja expressed gratitude to Gen Yoweri Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, for his visionary initiative to establish patriotic clubs in educational institutions, saying that they have been pivotal in shaping the discipline of youth.
“These clubs have been instrumental in instilling discipline and integrity among the youth. As you complete your diploma courses and embark on your careers, I urge you to embody the principles of patriotism and act as ambassadors of peace,” Col Kayanja said.
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He emphasized the significance of restraint and harmony in both professional and personal spheres.
Col Kayanja further encouraged the graduates to set a positive example for their peers across East Africa.
In his speech, Col Kayanja addressed the challenges facing the region and cautioned the graduates against adopting the negative traits seen in Kenya’s Generation Z.
He criticized individuals who lack ideological training and contribute to division and discord, contrasting them with Uganda’s more unified approach.
“The destruction caused by Gen Z in Kenya highlights the dangers of lacking ideological grounding,” Col Kayanja noted.
He reminded the graduates not to take the prevailing peace for granted, recalling the turbulent times of the 1990s in Northern Uganda.
“Without peace, socio-economic transformation is unattainable strife for self-respect and a healthy lifestyle to avoid unnecessary risks,” he added.
Lt Latwolo Kakonge, the Chief Instructor of the Patriotic Development Course, outlined the comprehensive program, which covered thirteen topics, including political education, the roles of youth in nation-building, transformative discipline, and health education.
Richard Wakise, a public health dentistry student and president of the college’s patriotic club, highlighted the course’s transformative impact, saying that the training has instilled a sense of pride and love for the country and has changed their perceptions of the military, revealing the army’s friendly and people-oriented nature.
The course saw participation from 400 trainees, supported by eight instructors from the UPDF 4th Infantry Division and the Patriotic Corp. Gulu College of Health Sciences, a government-funded institution.
The theme for this year, “Patriotism for Socio-Economic Transformation,” aligns with Uganda’s Vision 2040.
