The long-awaited National Unity Platform Party School of Leadership finally opened its doors to the public. Situated in Kamwokya at our former headquarters, the school held its inaugural classes for the three categories of people that shall be enrolled every academic year.
The inaugural class of the informal sector was taught by our national treasurer secretary, Benjamin Katana; the inaugural class of professionals was facilitated by Dr. Kanaabi Moses; and the third category, the inaugural class of our elected leaders, was taught by Dr. Lina Zedriga. The President officiated the school in a groundbreaking ceremony graced by our elected leaders, NEC members, and our comrades.
While addressing the public, Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya heaped praise on the party leadership for being practical and intentional. “We are very delighted to officially open the NUP school of leadership. I think this is evidence that when NUP promises, it delivers,” he said. He added that the space was offered by the president, H.E. Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert, to continue training our comrades in the basics of leadership. He dove deep into the categories of individuals that would be enrolled at the facility. “
Level one category includes the informal sector, which is the category of people that have not had formal education but are part of our struggle. They will be taught the history of Uganda and other basic leadership skills,” he said. “The other level is for professionals, and they will be taught by Dr. Kanaabi Moses. Category 3 is for elected leaders who shall be taught by Dr. Lina Zedriga,” he explained. The Secretary General furthermore opened up on the actual modules that shall be taught by the facilitators.
He said these shall include “the NUP party ideology, political history of Uganda, strategic planning, introduction to modern economics, introduction to human rights, communication skills and the art of political communication, principles and institutions of political leadership, strategies for political change, local government administrative framework in Uganda, elections in Uganda (legal framework), conflict resolution in politics, balancing the struggle, work, and family.”
The LoP/Party spokesperson, Joel Ssenyonyi, opened his remarks with a popular Nelson Mandela quote that says, “Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world.” He added that at NUP, we believe that education is supposed to be holistic and be able to provide transformers. “The kind of education we should attain should go beyond merely being professionals. We must always be ready to learn, as learning is a cycle that never ends. The world itself is a teacher. It is a mistake to think you know it all. For as long as you’re part of what we are doing, we shall be learning and unlearning,” he said. “Leadership is for all. All of us are supposed to learn from one another,” he emphasized.
The Deputy President for Northern, Dr. Lina Zedriga Waru, applauded the president, H.E. Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert, for delegating leaders to attend the send-off of comrade Okwai James Wasoti in Paidha, Zombo District, on Saturday, June 8th. She furthermore said the school curriculum would be about real-life case studies and experiences by comrades. She emphasized this by reflecting on the Benjamin Franklin quote that says, “Tell me, and I forget. Teach me, and I will remember. Involve me, and I learn.” She referred to her own current difficult experience that involves the life of her ailing son, Arone, who is on his sickbed fighting for his life. She says that, despite all this, she is still committed to the struggle, which demonstrates resilience.
Prior to giving his remarks, the President tasked the gathering to observe a minute of silence for our fallen comrade Okwai James Wasoti, aka Kabogo. He prayed and eulogized him as a gentleman who was disciplined and committed to the cause. “Kabogo recruited himself to our cause on the nomination day of the Kyadondo East by-election in 2017. I engaged him, and he informed me that he strongly associated with our cause, and that is how I got to know him more,” he recounted.
The President reflected on a series of quotes by popular revolutionaries like Che Guevara, who said, “The first duty of a revolutionary is to be educated,” and then Malcom X’s, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” The President further said that this school is not just a school but a testament to hope and a place where our leaders will be oriented toward foundational leadership skills. “We want to improve their understanding of our mission so that they can pass it on wherever they go with clarity and eloquence… We aim to have a new breed of leaders who are incorruptible and accountable.”
The president explained that the school has opened its doors at a very critical moment in our political history. A time when political education was outlawed and scrapped from the national curriculum. Opening this school is therefore our humble contribution towards opening the bridge that had been closed by the scrapping of civic education. “On our way to a new Uganda, we must be enrolled in transparent leadership with integrity. We need leaders who will resist temptations like corruption and self-entitlement. We will empower our comrades to realize their potential. We must overcome the attempts to block the awareness of our people and keep them in the dark. We have a duty to ensure that every Ugandan is kept informed. The constitution has never been translated into all local languages, even when the law says this should be done.”
The president said the school would be open to current and incoming leaders and other interested members of the public. “We want patriotic, united, powerful, and awakened Ugandans. Be an ambassador of what we believe in as the NUP and stand up firm. I hope the idea will spread beyond Kamwokya to other places far and wide. Learn and teach each other. Let each one teach the other.
Our school shall teach people in the language they best understand,” he said. “We’ll be a sober generation that cannot be fooled anymore. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to interrogate the budget process, the taxation policies, and so forth. You are stakeholders in this country, not just spectators. We want you to know your constitutional rights and civic duties. We don’t just want to remove the dictator; we want to reform all the rotten systems in our country,” he added.
