By Darlington Mabonga
Government is considering a proposal that would allow post-primary students who want to join the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to take a one-year paid leave from their studies and undergo military training.
The proposal was announced by the Minister of Justice, Norbert Mao, while officiating at the pass-out ceremony of 1,350 patriotism club students at Namilyango College in Seeta, Mukono.
Mao said the proposal would give young people an opportunity to acquire military skills while continuing with their education, and could also help Uganda prepare young people for the changing demands of modern warfare.
“In my opinion, government should consider a position where students in secondary schools, colleges or tertiary institutions who desire to join the army can be allowed one year off to undertake comprehensive military training and later return and resume their studies,” Mao said.
He added that after completing their education, those who wanted to pursue military careers could proceed to cadet officer training and eventually serve in specialised areas of the armed forces.
“I don’t know the opinion of the Commander-in-Chief, but it is my desire that we give these young people an opportunity to serve their country,” he said.
Mao said the proposal would require discussions with the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Ministry of Defence and the Chief of Defence Forces before it could be considered by Cabinet.
“We are going to engage the Ministry of Education, Defence and the Chief of Defence Forces for guidance and possibly come up with a Cabinet paper to effect this policy,” he said.
Mao said the nature of warfare around the world had changed significantly over the years. He said armies had moved from traditional weapons such as bows, arrows and spears to guns, tanks, artillery and fighter aircraft, and were now increasingly using drones and artificial intelligence in military operations.
He argued that Uganda therefore needed to prepare young people for new areas of military technology and skills.
Mao also congratulated the 1,350 students for completing their week-long patriotism training, saying such programmes could help young people understand their responsibilities as citizens.
Richard Owaruhanga, an assistant commissioner in the National Patriotism Corps Secretariat, encouraged parents to discuss the value of patriotism programmes with their children.
He said the programme had so far trained more than one million students since its establishment.
Owaruhanga described the training as an important way of preparing young people to become responsible citizens and future leaders.
Julius Yekosofeti Mukwanya, the National Patriotism Corps regional coordinator for Mukono said Namilyango College had provided the largest number of students for the patriotism training programme in the district.
He said the college’s participation should be recognised by education stakeholders and other leaders in the district.
The school’s headmaster, Mpuuga Sajjabbi, congratulated the students for successfully completing the training.
He said the programme had equipped them with knowledge and skills intended to promote patriotism, discipline, respect, honesty and integrity.
