The Republic of Uganda. Speech by Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi, SC. MP The Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda

Transcription

1 The Republic of Uganda Speech by Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi, SC. MP The Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda At the Bishop Barham University College, Uganda Christian University, Kabale At the Graduation Ceremony On 05 th October, 2012

2 SPEECH AT BISHOP BARHAM UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, UGANDA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY, KABALE GRADUATION CEREMONY, OCTOBER 05, 2012 Your Grace, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda and Chancellor of Uganda Christian University, the Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi, The Chief Guest, the Rt. Rev. Kenneth Barham The Archbishop Elect, Bishop Stanley Ntagali and Mrs. Beatrice Ntagali The Rt. Rev. George Katwesigye, Bishop Kigezi Diocese The Vice Chancellor, Uganda Christian University, Rev Can. Dr. John Senyonyi The Principal, Bishop Barham University College, Rev. Can. Prof. Manuel Muranga The Bishops of the Church of Uganda Distinguished Guests Graduands and Parents of the Graduands, And all honoured guests It is with great pleasure that I join you at the Graduation Ceremony of Bishop Barham University College, a constituent college of Uganda Christian University. Please receive the best wishes of the Government of Uganda to the college and particularly to the Graduands whose labours we have come to witness and celebrate today. Your Grace, allow me to heartily thank you for your years as Archbishop of the Church of Uganda. Your service to the church and nation needs no elaboration; the story of peace and development in the church, and the cordial relations with the Government are before us to emulate. As you retire from Church leadership I want you to know how much we have appreciated your leadership. 1

3 During this same time you have been the Chancellor of Uganda Christian University. I am happy to note the growth of this University allowing it to make a noticeable impact on higher education in this nation. I wish you fruitful retirement, that you and your wife may find renewed strength to serve God, Church, Uganda and the international community much more. Let me also use this opportunity to congratulate and welcome the Archbishop-elect, Bishop Stanley Ntagali. I want you to know that you will have at your disposal our undivided support in the new responsibility God has assigned you. I am very confident that you will excel in the performance of the challenging task of Archbishop of Church of Uganda. We wish you the best. I congratulate you, the graduands. Thank you for the hard work, and no doubt this day marks very happy returns shared with your parents, guardians and all those who have supported you over the years to this end. My delight primarily stems from a historical relationship I share with this College, the Church and this hill as a whole. My own family history is interwoven with the Anglican church and its church workers. My own father, as a Catechist (or omushomesa w ekanisa) of many years, Mr. Kezekia Bagwowabo, actually trained in the School of Divinity of this College: he told me so himself. He trained here several times but unfortunately I do not recollect that he told me the dates when he did so. The college name was possibly different from the one used now but, no doubt it was the precursor to BBUC. I am not sure which year it is. I had requested Prof. Muranga to check it out but I suspect he was a pioneer given that he started many of the Churches in Rukiga County. By the time he went to Kasoni in 1927, he had been to Ibumba, Kashambya, etc. Could he have done that may be before his apparent sojourn through the many villages and parishes which he founded? He and my late mother, Peresi Nyinakabaka, embraced the revival movement in 1934 and remained balokole for the rest of their lives. 2

4 I, therefore, think that my upbringing had directly or indirectly everything to do with the deep connections my family had with the church and what was happening on this hill. I am who and what I am because of the values instilled in my parents at this college. Furthermore, this hill evokes good memories for me as a young man since I grew up and studied at the Kigezi High School Primary and Junior in the 1950s and 1960's. I rightly feel a sense of comradeship with you all today. The sprouting of Bishop Barham University College in Kigezi to offer a Christian-based education is fitting and very much welcome. Historically the church has always been at the forefront of the education enterprise, whether formal academic or vocational. Indeed many people of my generation are the product of church-founded educational institutions. However, the same church took long to establish higher education institutions mostly due to restrictive political policies of the day. And yet no lasting and consolidated national development can happen without a highly trained and skilled cadre higher education is necessary to national development. Higher education is a great national asset. It contributes to the economic and social well-being of the nation. Generally speaking higher education provides considerable value to individuals, to the economies where educated individuals live and work, and society in general. Economies that have experienced substantial investment in institutions of higher learning have realized considerable growth and prosperity. Various other benefits to society also are realized from enhanced educational attainment, such as a lower crime rate. Most importantly universities and other institutions of higher learning focus on knowledge creation. Thus universities are sources of key research and development innovations that become beneficial to nations and are conducive to economic growth. 3

5 This is how prosperity is achieved and how the quality of life of a people is raised to higher levels. As it was concluded in England about 10 years ago in a study about the value of higher education: In short, the presence of graduates can only be seen as beneficial. They contribute to the wider health as well as wealth of society and many of the social benefits (e.g. on health and crime) benefit the macro-economy In Christian terms, according to Church of England, education is understood to be part of the gospel good news for all which is first and foremost for individuals and for all who are able to benefit from it. Its purpose is the search for truth, and Christians believe they are called to serve, using the knowledge they gain and the talents they develop in the service of others. For this, among many reasons, BBUC must be encouraged to stand, and I pledge my support. UCU, and BBUC in particular in this sub-region, brings the unique blend of academic training with Christian ethos. This peculiarity is needed in our nation because it grounds the graduate s training and skills in moral and ethical values. I thank you for this splendid work. To the graduands, please note, therefore, that this education lays upon you the responsibility to become change-agents in our nation. You go out to the public where there is an outcry against corruption and related societal evils. It is yours to show that the education you have got from this University has been well worth the effort. The Government of Uganda welcomes you to make a difference; be a value-added graduate wherever you go. I note that BBUC is strategically positioned at the confluence of three nations Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Of course Burundi and Tanzania are not far from here. This bespeaks the regional integration which Government is keen to cultivate for the betterment of the peoples of this region. This 4

6 is not an accident, and I want to urge you to make full use of this blessing. The future significance of BBUC cannot be overstated. For in the days to come the East African Community will unite some or all of these nations giving opportunity to this University to educate the children of the region. If the education at this College and University commends itself regionally, the influence for the good of our people will know no end. I thank the leadership of this university for the great work they are doing of imparting knowledge and skills to our people to make our nations better places to live in. Please keep up the good work. Once again to you graduands, congratulations! As I said earlier, you will as individuals benefit from the education you have attained at this University College, but please do not make self-interest your primary motivation. You must pursue the ideal of selfsacrifice in the common interest, which is central to the Christian tradition. Thank you and God bless you. FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY 5