The UPDF student engagement on patriotism recently brought together over 400 university and tertiary students from Uganda’s Kigezi sub-region. The Joint Staff Political Commissariat organized the event as part of Tarehe Sita Defence Forces Week. Moreover, it preceded the 45th Tarehe Sita Anniversary under the theme “Transforming the Youth into Good Patriots.” This initiative aims to shape informed, responsible, and nationally conscious youth as future leaders and stewards of Uganda’s development.
Maj Gen Henry Masiko, head of the Joint Staff Political Commissariat, addressed the students with a message centered on duty, ideology, and national unity. “You are in the early hours of your journey,” he said. “You are preparing to manage the affairs of our society and our nation.” He emphasized that today’s youth stand on the shoulders of past student intellectuals—whose critical thinking, in fact, helped ignite Uganda’s liberation struggle.
Masiko then traced the UPDF’s origins to intellectual movements of the early 1970s. Specifically, he explained how young thinkers in 1971 began questioning Uganda’s political direction. Eventually, this gave rise to FRONASA, the National Resistance Army, and today’s Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces. Furthermore, he urged students to honor fallen freedom fighters by embracing responsible citizenship and rejecting divisiveness.
Central to the UPDF student engagement on patriotism was the idea that true patriotism is ideological—not tribal, religious, or biological. “Patriotism is about understanding that we need one another as producers and consumers,” Masiko said. He linked national prosperity to wealth creation through market-oriented production, rather than identity politics or manipulation. Consequently, he argued that sustainable development depends on unity, hard work, and economic participation.
The general also warned students about misinformation and ideological confusion. Therefore, he encouraged them to seek truth through reading, critical analysis, and studying foundational documents like Uganda’s Constitution. “The truth is always there, but falsehoods often bury it,” he said. “As intellectuals, your responsibility is to dig for it.”
With Uganda entering an electoral period, Masiko called on youth to reject violence and provocation. In particular, he reminded them that the UPDF safeguards national sovereignty and supports peaceful democratic processes. “Democracy is orderly decision-making, not mob action,” he said. “Excitement should never turn into violence. We want you to be ambassadors of peace and stability.”
Students welcomed the session as both timely and insightful. For instance, Musanyana Tracy of Makerere University said it deepened her view of patriotism. “I have learned the importance of keeping peace during elections and loving my motherland—not only Uganda but Africa as a whole,” she shared.
Similarly, Bainomugisha Innocent, a law student at Kampala International University, highlighted the value of peaceful conflict resolution. “We have learned how to resolve issues without violence and to listen to elders during the election period,” he said.
This outreach forms part of the UPDF’s broader civil-military strategy during Defence Forces Week. Ultimately, it aims to strengthen trust between citizens and the military, promote national cohesion, and prepare youth for constructive civic roles.
The 45th Tarehe Sita Anniversary marks February 6, 1981—the day the liberation struggle began. That historic effort laid the foundation for today’s UPDF and Uganda’s current stability. Through initiatives like this UPDF student engagement on patriotism, the military continues to invest in the next generation of leaders. Indeed, these young people are gaining not only knowledge but also a sense of duty—so they can drive peace, production, and progress across the nation.
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