Students of St. Mary’s College Kisubi (SMACK) have been urged to develop a culture of discipline, productivity and patriotism as they prepare to assume leadership responsibilities and contribute to Uganda’s socio-economic development.
The call was made by Lt Col Frank Murema, the Commander of 16 Service Brigade, while delivering a lecture on national power to students at the school.
Lt Col Murema told the learners that national development depends not only on government programmes and institutions but also on the commitment and responsibility of individual citizens.
He outlined five major components of national power, diplomacy, information and intelligence, the military, the economy and the population, explaining how each contributes to the strength and stability of a country.
Lt Col Murema said effective diplomacy facilitates international cooperation, while credible information and intelligence support sound decision-making. He also noted that a professional and disciplined military plays a central role in protecting national security.
On the economic front, Lt Col Murema described a resilient economy as critical to sustainable development, while an educated, disciplined and productive population remains an important national resource.
Using Uganda’s development experience and drawing comparisons with China, the commander underscored the importance of education and skills development in enabling young people to become active participants in the economy.
He also pointed to the Competence-Based Curriculum as an important avenue for developing practical skills, innovation, critical thinking and responsible citizenship among learners.
Lt Col Murema urged the students to practise what he described as conscious discipline and personal responsibility, arguing that public programmes can deliver meaningful results when citizens also play their part through hard work and commitment.
He encouraged the students to demonstrate patriotism by loving, protecting and contributing to Uganda irrespective of prevailing circumstances.
The Lt Col further stressed the importance of unity, brotherhood and integration in advancing national development. He cited Uganda’s role in Pan-Africanism and its history of hosting refugees as examples of the country’s wider contribution to regional and continental affairs.
He challenged the students to adopt a broader economic outlook by viewing East Africa and the wider African continent as a shared market. He encouraged them to focus on production, entrepreneurship and innovation as ways of creating opportunities and contributing to national prosperity.
“The future is in production,” Lt Col Murema said, urging students to become productive, loyal and responsible citizens.
He also cautioned the learners against hatred and other destructive influences, encouraging them to use their education responsibly and uphold strong moral values as they transition into adulthood and future leadership roles.
The lecture ended with an interactive question-and-answer session, giving the students an opportunity to engage the commander on issues relating to patriotism, discipline, productivity and their responsibilities as citizens.
