The Deputy Director General of the Internal Security Organization (ISO), Lieutenant Colonel (Lt. Col.) Emmy Katabazi has urged student leaders to embrace the right ideologies of Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, Democracy, and Socio-economic Transformation by working towards Nation building.
Lt. Col. Katabazi made the remarks while offering a lecture of opportunity to Students Leaders who were attending the Kampala Capital City Mid-term Students Leaders Conference organized by Uganda National Students Association (UNSA) at Nabisunsa Girls School on Saturday, July 1, 2023, under the theme “Responsible Leadership in Diversity, Unity, and Inclusion.”
He urged the students’ leaders to advocate for Patriotism and Nation building. He also cautioned them against getting involved in un-developmental issues but to work towards developing their country Uganda because they are the current leaders.
“What took me to the Mighty UPDF was to ensure that we fight for Africa and its resources. Don’t put personal feelings in leadership but focus on building the country,” Lt. Col. Katabazi said.
The Deputy Director General called upon the Students Association to wake up and avoid cheap fights and politics that they don’t understand.
“Can the Students Association wake up and stop small fights that can lead you to politics that you don’t understand,” he noted.
He urged students to elect responsible leaders and cautioned them against getting involved in demonstrations and strikes.
“An intellectual shouldn’t support or get involved in strikes and demonstrations, but air out issues affecting you in a more organized way,” Lt. Col. Katabazi said.
Lt. Col. Katabazi cautioned student leaders against discrimination but appreciate humanity.
“It’s not important to know the colors and cultures of people but appreciate that we are all humans and appreciate humanity,” Deputy Director General stressed.
The Lt. Col. warned students against LBTQ+ saying that it is against humanity and that using drugs destruct their thinking, he also informed them that he was a General Secretary of UNSA in 1988 and now he is serving a bigger position in the country.
Being a security officer, he also embarked on security issues regarding the Country’s security and safety while responding to questions from the students’ leaders who had attended the seminar.
Lt. Col. Katabazi said Uganda’s joint security task force, which includes all the intelligence agencies, is on top of the task to maintain peace, security, and stability regardless of several attempts that had been averted.
“For us, we have the Constitutional mandate to deal with the threats to our country; these ADF terrorists who recently attacked and killed our children in Kasese are being dealt with and must pay immensely,” Lt.Col. Katabazi said.
According to Katabazi, intelligence requires the contribution of every citizen and urged the students to remain vigilant, ideologically strategic, and shun bad politics, which can destroy the country’s socioeconomic achievements.
He advised the students to remain committed to learning, adding that they will be the pillars of national leadership in the future.
Lt. Col. Katabazi further cautioned the students against indulging in conflict and instead concentrating on what could build their capabilities for effective leadership.
