While presiding over the function at the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy, Gaddafi Barracks, the State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Martin Mugarra, urged the graduates to use the skills they have attained to promote destination Uganda.

The minister in a speech read for him by the ministry’s Principal Assistant Secretary, Mukokha Yusuf, emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership between the Jinja-based hospitality institute and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).

“The military plays a pivotal role in providing peace and stability at the destination, something that enables tourism to thrive,” the minister’s speech read in part.

The Jinja Cantonment Commander, Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Kanyesigye, while speaking at the same occasion, urged the graduands to love their country and use lawful means to fight corruption.

“There are complaints about corruption. This is your fight now. For us we are retiring. We want to see you fight corruption in a meaningful way rather than destroying the country,” Brig. Gen. Kanyesigye said.

“Start fighting corruption with yourself. Stop offering bribes in exchange for employment but instead use your integrity,” he added.

He explained that empowering the youth with patriotism and ideology skills is a commitment promised to the people of Uganda which has been exhibited through the actions and the relationship between the UPDF and the civilian community.

Brig. Gen. Kanyesigye urged the graduands to jealously defend the country in good and bad situations, saying that if the youths want a new Uganda, it should be brought peacefully.

“The UPDF is apolitical. We do not take part in partisan politics but we are politically conscious and we can’t allow bad politics,” he said.

Meanwhile, Col. Saad Katemba, the NCOA commandant, said the training was aimed at providing national ideology and security packages towards the tourism sector which highly contributes to the socio-economic development of the country.

“The skills you have acquired should serve the right purpose of protecting tourists. Tourism resources and yourselves when attacked,” Col. Katemba said.

Moses Kaneene, the Deputy Principal of UHTTI, said this is the 10^th paramilitary training and commended the UPDF for the partnership.

“This is a very expensive program but you have assisted us by virtually subsidizing everything,” Kaneene said.

He said they intend to bring on board all students offering hospitality courses to undergo the training.

FINAL REPORT
Updated May 2024

P130471 – Uganda-CEDP-ESMF_Disclosure

While presiding over the function at the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy, Gaddafi Barracks, the State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Martin Mugarra, urged the graduates to use the skills they have attained to promote destination Uganda.

The minister in a speech read for him by the ministry’s Principal Assistant Secretary, Mukokha Yusuf, emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership between the Jinja-based hospitality institute and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).

“The military plays a pivotal role in providing peace and stability at the destination, something that enables tourism to thrive,” the minister’s speech read in part.

The Jinja Cantonment Commander, Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Kanyesigye, while speaking at the same occasion, urged the graduands to love their country and use lawful means to fight corruption.

“There are complaints about corruption. This is your fight now. For us we are retiring. We want to see you fight corruption in a meaningful way rather than destroying the country,” Brig. Gen. Kanyesigye said.

“Start fighting corruption with yourself. Stop offering bribes in exchange for employment but instead use your integrity,” he added.

He explained that empowering the youth with patriotism and ideology skills is a commitment promised to the people of Uganda which has been exhibited through the actions and the relationship between the UPDF and the civilian community.

Brig. Gen. Kanyesigye urged the graduands to jealously defend the country in good and bad situations, saying that if the youths want a new Uganda, it should be brought peacefully.

“The UPDF is apolitical. We do not take part in partisan politics but we are politically conscious and we can’t allow bad politics,” he said.

Meanwhile, Col. Saad Katemba, the NCOA commandant, said the training was aimed at providing national ideology and security packages towards the tourism sector which highly contributes to the socio-economic development of the country.

“The skills you have acquired should serve the right purpose of protecting tourists. Tourism resources and yourselves when attacked,” Col. Katemba said.

Moses Kaneene, the Deputy Principal of UHTTI, said this is the 10^th paramilitary training and commended the UPDF for the partnership.

“This is a very expensive program but you have assisted us by virtually subsidizing everything,” Kaneene said.

He said they intend to bring on board all students offering hospitality courses to undergo the training.

The Kyabazinga, William Wilberforce Nadiope IV, has commended Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI) and asked that the skilling centre gives refresher courses for his palace staff.

The King of Busoga also urged the institute to work with the Inhebantu (mother of the kingdom) in her project aimed at uplifting the youth in Busoga, most especially the girl-child.

“Please share a concept with her on how best you can work together to skill our people. She will see how we can move forward,” Kyabazinga said.

He said many institutions and organisations have expressed interest in working with the Inhebantu but UHTTI will be given priority owing to its location in Busoga and its reputation as a government training institute.

The Kyabazinga, who was meeting the Principal of the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute, Richard Kawere, at his private residence in Buziga, a Kampala suburb, on Thursday, said the institute should continue adding value to the kingdom and the nation at large.

“We need refresher courses for people working in the palace such as cooks, guards and house keepers, among others,” he said during the closed-door meeting.

Nadiope commended the institute for its role in skilling his subjects and pledged the kingdom’s commitment to partnering with the lone government-owned tourism school in the country.

“We have grown up seeing Crested Crane and we appreciate what the Institute is doing to improve the lives of our people. You are a reputable Institution and as a kingdom, we will continue working with you,” the Kyabazinga said.

The king also commended government for the developments taking place at the Jinja-based Institute and implored the Institute management to advance the kingdom’s agenda of skilling the kingdom subjects.

The Kyabazinga also requested the institute to avail bursaries for the bright but needy subjects who would love to pursue hospitality-related courses.

The Busoga king, who married Inhebantu Jovia Mutesi in November last year, commended the institute for the wedding cake and its contribution towards the ‘ekigangu kya Busoga’, a forum that aims at reviving the Kisoga culture among children.

Kawere pledged UHTTI’s commitment to partnering with the kingdom, saying the institute will come up with a scholarship policy that will inform the bursary arrangement for the bright but needy kingdom subjects.

“We are going to develop a policy because as an institution, we need a binding framework and we hope to fast-track this so that in September, we roll the scheme out,” Kawere said.

He requested the Kyabazinga to provide the Institute with land to develop a sports facility.

“Baba, if there is land that is not too far from the institute, you can give it to us and we develop it into a sports facility for the institute,” Kawere said.

The meeting was also attended by UHTTI Deputy Principal Moses Kanene, the head of pastry and bakery Daniel Bakabinge, and the publicist Daniel Kazungu.