By Patricia Turyahebwa,
MBALE
The Commissioner of the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps(NSPC) Hellen Seku rallied secondary school students in Elgon region to cherish, protect the environment and all the country’s natural resources if we are to build a stunning legacy and homeland for the generations to come.
She advised them to be agents of change and champion the cause of environmental protection and conservation by shunning away all the culture of littering the environment.
“As young patriots, we should be change makers, we should also train ourselves to how we want the environment to look like by avoiding dropping litter in the school compound as well as our communities where we all live,”
“Littering degrades the environment and in the process, its green nature is being depressed, therefore as young patriots, we have to be the ones to rise to the occasion because it is our mandate as patriots to thrive in a hygienic atmosphere,” said Seku.
She made the remarks during the recently concluded monitoring and evaluation exercise which was intended to assess how patriotism activities are being handled in over 70 secondary schools in the region.
Seku further advised both patriots and school stakeholders to embrace and interest themselves in planting fruit trees as per recent Presidential guidance.
“Recently when the president was launching the National Patriotism Environmental protection campaign, he guided that we should start planting fruit trees so that students benefit from the shade, fruits as well as earning some income and the students will also feel they have impacted the school in that regard.” she added
Seku who spent two working days in the region was impressed by a big innovative piece of art on a chain link fence in the school compound with recycled bottles at Mbale SS.
She urged them to implement what they are doing at school and transfer the same knowledge to their parents in different communities so that the information spreads to each and every Ugandan.
“Now that you all come from different communities, it is good when you go back home and share such important information with your parents so that we stay on the same page of protecting our environment,”
“It is therefore our duty to ensure that the forest cover is not only protected but increased for sustainable development,” she noted
Seku was adding her voice to that of First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Mama Janet Museveni while at Kitebi SS where she advised students to rise up and contribute to the national cause of cherishing our mother nature for the betterment of our country Uganda.
She believes that Uganda being a pearl of Africa is the reason as to why all citizens need to jealously and unreservedly love and protect the environment through Patriotism.
“Environmental protection should be a collective effort for all patriotic citizens of Uganda in regards to restoration of God’s creatures in our country.” “Conserving our environment from devastating consequences of climate change should be our responsibility as Ugandans if we are to live and thrive in a beautiful planet.”
“Let us now promote efficient waste management in our homes by encouraging the use of paper bags instead of polythene bags.” said Mrs. Museveni.
She added that the amount of litter left on the roadsides and open air grounds especially after various public gatherings is truly disturbing as it leads to both soil, water and air pollution.
