The President of the Republic of Uganda and Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has today presided over the passing out of 372 Boda-Boda leaders from the Kampala Metropolitan Area who underwent a one-week Patriotism Development Course at Oliver Reginald Tambo Leadership School, Kaweweta, Nakaseke District.
President Museveni said that patriotism, championed by the National Resistance Movement, aims to promote prosperity for all, peace in Uganda, and the spirit of Pan-Africanism.
President Museveni observed that through initiatives like Operation Wealth Creation and Emyooga, the government is empowering the population for socio-economic transformation. He informed them that government money through their Saccos is a grant and encouraged them to be entrepreneurs, as that is the only way to achieve wealth. “The sectors in Uganda that have the biggest entrepreneurship opportunities are commercial agriculture, manufacturing, and the service sector that includes transport, medical, and insurance,” said President Museveni.
The Minister for the Presidency, Milly Babalanda, underscored Boda-Boda riders’ role in maintaining peace since they interact with people daily. Colonel Justus Rukundo, the Commandant of Oliver Reginald Tambo Leadership School, said that the leaders received lectures from different members of key government agencies and institutions, which focused on the significance of patriotism in national transformation. Additionally, the leaders had field trips and were trained with skills to diversify their income.
Present at the passing out were: the Joint Staff – Political Commissariat Major General Henry Masiko, 1 Division Commander Brigadier General Joseph Ssemwanga, Commandant Basic Military Training School Brigadier General Bonny Wolimbwa, religious and area leaders, among others.