Lira, Uganda | Minister of Health and Lira City Woman MP, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, has called on the people of Lango to invest in education and youth development, stressing the importance of integrity, discipline, and patriotism as foundational values for the country’s next generation of leaders.
Dr. Aceng made the remarks during the pass out ceremony of more than 400 students at St. Gracious Senior Secondary School, Leo Atubo Campus, who successfully completed a 10-day patriotism training program.
The camp was aimed at fostering responsible citizenship, community service, and national unity among the youth.
Addressing students, parents, and staff at the event, Dr. Aceng commended the school for its consistent efforts in promoting quality education and patriotic values.
She said the successful graduation of over 450 patriots was a significant achievement for both the school and the Lango sub-region, adding that St. Gracious offers hope for educational transformation in the area.
The ceremony featured a series of performances including military-style drills, traditional dances, poetry, and acrobatics all designed to showcase the wide range of skills nurtured by the school’s holistic approach to education.
Dr. Aceng used the platform to voice concern over the growing issue of drug abuse among young people, warning that many are falling victim due to misinformation, peer pressure, and lack of parental guidance.
She urged parents and teachers to be more vigilant and supportive in guiding learners.
She further emphasized that patriotism training plays a vital role in shaping disciplined, community-focused citizens.
According to her, the training teaches values such as national unity, service to community, and broader concepts like the East African Federation and Pan-Africanism, which are essential for fostering regional cohesion and development.
Turning to Uganda’s political landscape, Dr. Aceng encouraged citizens to vote responsibly during the upcoming party primaries and general elections.
She advised voters to choose leaders who are committed to community service, rather than those who rely on tokenism and short-term giveaways.
She also highlighted government initiatives aimed at wealth creation and mindset change, calling on students and their families to embrace development-oriented thinking and entrepreneurship.
In a moment that drew loud applause from the audience, Dr. Aceng announced a four-year bursary for Micaiah Otim, the camp commander, in recognition of his exemplary leadership and discipline throughout the training.
Otim, a Senior One student, expressed his gratitude and credited the training with transforming his character, building his confidence, and inspiring him to pursue a future career in the security forces.
St. Gracious Leo Atubo Campus Headteacher, Jasper Okae, expressed pride in the results of the program, stating that it had significantly improved students’ discipline, hygiene, and attitudes towards personal responsibility.
He noted that patriotism is embedded in the school’s broader educational philosophy, which includes academic excellence, writers’ clubs, cultural heritage promotion, and character development.
Okae also emphasized the importance of collaboration between schools and families in addressing social challenges like drug abuse.
He said St. Gracious has taken a proactive approach by integrating family-based guidance and counseling into its student support systems.
The pass out ceremony marked a major milestone for the school and the wider community, reaffirming the growing importance of patriotism education in grooming a responsible, disciplined, and forward-looking generation in the Lango sub-region.
