The NRM National Treasurer, Hon. Amb. Barbra Nekesa Oundo, has called on schools to strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and nurture young people who can become change agents in their communities and contribute to Uganda’s socioeconomic transformation.
Nekesa made the call on Friday, at Iganga Progressive Secondary School, where she joined the school leadership, parents, teachers, and students in prayers and the dedication of Senior Four (S.4) and Senior Six (S.6) candidates ahead of their examinations.
Nekesa commended the school for putting God first, saying the school’s approach provides a strong foundation for academic success and responsible citizenship.
“We have started well by putting everything before the Almighty God. The Bible tells us to seek first the Kingdom of God and the rest will follow,” Nekesa said.
She asked God to grant the candidates knowledge, wisdom, and understanding to interpret examination questions correctly and produce good results for the school.
On the role of education in nation-building, Nekesa urged the school to put greater emphasis on engineering, noting that Uganda still needs more professionals in STEM-related fields.
“Other than technology, I want to urge our teachers to put more emphasis in the area of engineering. Let us produce more engineers; we are still lacking as a country in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics,” she said.
Nekesa also called on educated young people to become agents of change in their communities by helping their families embrace wealth creation and move away from purely subsistence livelihoods.
She said education should not only prepare young people for formal employment but also equip them with the knowledge and skills to address socioeconomic challenges within their communities.
Nekesa further challenged young people to embrace patriotism and reject sectarian tendencies, recalling that Uganda faced serious challenges of disunity and sectarianism before the NRM came to power in 1986.
“Before NRM came to power in 1986, we had a problem of disunity and sectarianism in this country. People would be in a political party based on their tribe, but poverty does not know any tribe or language,” she said.
She commended Iganga Progressive for promoting patriotism among young people, saying such efforts can help build a more united society.
“Issues and tendencies of sectarianism shall be stamped out by what you have started as Iganga Progressive, to continuously preach patriotism among our young people,” Nekesa said.
As the students prepare to break for holidays, she urged those coming from rural communities to use their education to help their families understand and address the socio-economic challenges affecting them.
Nekesa also encouraged the students to remain focused on their studies, telling them that their teachers had done their part and the responsibility now rested with them.
“The teachers have done their part; now the rest is yours. Remember that you cannot fatten the goat on the market day,” she said.
Nekesa also spoke about the importance of young people participating in national development, noting that Uganda is a young nation and that the country needs the energy, skills, and patriotism of its youth.
“I am 42 years old, but I have worked in this Government for 16 years. Meaning I joined Government when I was 26 years old. We need you to join the NRM Party because it is a party for all people from every part of the country, including the youth,” she said.
The Woman Member of Parliament for Iganga District, Hon. Mariam Seif, used the occasion to call on parents to pay closer attention to their children during the upcoming long holiday.
She particularly raised concern over HIV/AIDS among teenagers in Iganga, saying the district continues to face challenges related to the disease.
“My message to our parents is that these are your children, our children and children of Uganda. As they come for the short holiday, let us put a keen eye on them,” Mariam said.
She also urged parents to ensure their children are screened for sickle cell disease, noting that both children and adults should be encouraged to undergo screening.
Mariam said the district is undertaking campaigns aimed at addressing HIV/AIDS and sickle cell disease, while also reminding parents to take children aged five years and below for immunisation.
She noted that the ongoing immunisation activities provide an opportunity for parents to ensure their children receive the necessary vaccines and remain protected from preventable diseases.