Sensitize Executive Director Chrispin Mutehimbwa Kakuba addressing participants at the launch at Hotel Africana
By George Bukenya
The assistant commissioner Ministry of ICT and National Guidance Mr. Bakalikwira Jonah Jackson has called on government to include civic education in the schools’ Curriculum especially for Secondary Schools.
He made the remarks while presiding over the launch of the Civic Education Book whose author was speared headed by Sensitise Uganda a non government organization that advocate for young people’s rights, democracy and good governance and accountability.
Mr. Bakalikwira said that lack of civic education has caused the degeneration of morals in Uganda’s society and the young people are failing to know the direction of their country.
“ As we are grooming the young people to be the leaders of tomorrow , we should be talking about their duties and obligations so as to have the country be in the right direction and this can happen when society and government at large embrace civic education and also introduce it in the curriculum,“ Mr. Bakalikwira said.
“ Young people should know where the country should be and help build democratic institutions, they ought to internalize the National Vision such that they can know the direction of the country because they have the necessary energy and brains to help accelerate development in the different aspects.’’ He stated.
“ The country needs to develop a robust civic education program that touches everybody at household to the national chapter and this will help to avoid incidences like riots in schools which leads to burning of premises.’’ Bakalikwira advised.
Sensitise Uganda Executive Director, Crispin Mutehimbwa Kakuba said that the launched civic education book contains chapters which when read will help young people to realize their responsibility, obligation and entitlement as well as their rights
He said that his NGO has taken civic education to various schools like Kyambogo College School, Progressive SS, Mariam High School, Najeera High , Kira SS to mention but a few through various programs such as Mock Elections Presidential Debate and this has impacted on the young people positively.
“ This Civic Education book for secondary schools will help young people to read and develop into responsible citizens, learn aspects of volunteering in some development aspects, engage in whatever legal activities taking place in the country as well as knowing peace building and conflict resolution,’’ Mutehimbwa said.
Some of the participants who turned up for the launch.
He blamed government institutions like Human Rights Commission and Electoral Commission for always conducting civic education to the masses within a short period of time when nearing general election saying that this should be regular and routine because it helps all stake holders to do the right thing in the right time.
Mutehimbwa also said that the problem for instance faces in general elections occur due to the poor handling of civic education where the electoral commission does it hurriedly.
“To avoid incidences like that happened in Kenya in the past few days, we need to embrace civic education by committing financial resources and time in such a concept that is lacking both in schools and society.’’ Mutehimbwa stated.
According to Mutehimbwa, the authoring of the book was done by the help of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Netherlands and its geared towards developing young people into proper leadership skills so as to build cohesion and unity that has been over time deteriorating in the country.