1,350 students drawn from secondary schools in Maracha District were passed out after completing a week’s training on patriotism.

Speaking as guest of honour at the pass-out in Maracha District on Friday August 22, 2025, Maracha Deputy Resident District Commissioner Ms. Monica Kotevu, stated President Yoweri Museveni organized the patriotism program looking at Uganda’s dark history underpinned by identity of tribe, religion and gender.  

“He (President Museveni) said the real approach to this problem is to look at the new generation, the youthful generation, the students, the people who understand new things faster,” she submitted.

Kotevu mentioned the training will instill discipline among learners to avert incidents of students rampaging. 

“It is meant to reduce crime in schools as West Nile we are known for being arrogant and indiscipline, we have been registering school strikes in our own schools in Maracha District, we have been registering school conflicts during sports days,” she said.

Still enumerating on the benefits of the training, she said the training will go a long way in addressing poor academic performance.

“We think if we prepare you early enough and you get to know it is your responsibility to perform better then we shall bridge this gap,” she told the gathering of students, teachers and district leaders.

Maracha District Vice Chairperson, Hon. Bosco Asea said the training has equipped the patriots with life skills that will make them better people in their adulthood.

“This tolerance and resilience is going to help you throughout your life, you will continue to endure all situations that you are faced with. My humble appeal is when there are tough situations in schools you should help the administration to overcome the challenges,” he appealed.

“ We cannot focus on the new ones let us also focus on those one we have been passing, let us bring them on board

Patriotism Coordinator Maracha District, Mr. Joseph Ecega commended the student for their commitment to the training emphasis patriotism is centered on sacrifice.

“You have been going through hardship and you have been able to endure this. Patriotism is all about that,” he said.

Ecega observed the quality of orientation offered by the trainers this time round was improved with the introduction of new drills.

“It is different from the one of last year, I thank these instructors for the job well done. We were guided that the parade system had changed, you might have seen it has changed,” he said.

He said without patriotism the country will have no direction and cautioned the politics of identity

Patriotism Coordinator Koboko District, Mr. Godfrey Ezama said the patriotism course dwells on norms and values not the misinformation that is peddled.

“What we are doing is not from the blue it is a constitutional matter. Sometime people don’t understand patriotism is about.

 “Some people think when the children are brought together like this the only thing they are told love Uganda and that is all. Others think it is NRM program, others think it for the head of state.”