President Yoweri Museveni has strongly cautioned the youth of North Ankole Diocese in particular and Uganda in general to avoid bad peer groups that can lead them into engaging in bad behaviour that will destroy their future.
“Avoid bad peer groups. This is done through parents caring and showing love to their children by providing them with good guidance,” he counselled.
The President was this afternoon addressing over 800 youth from North Ankole Diocese that are attending a 3-day Christian convention at Kaaro High School in Nshwerenkye, Kiruhuura district.
The diocesan-organized convention is running under the theme ‘God is the Living Cornerstone.’
North Ankole Diocesan Prelate, the Rt. Rev. Steven Namanya, welcomed President Museveni to the convention that is aimed at counselling the youth to be upright citizens.
Facilitators at the convention include Mr. Nicholas Kisakye, Engineer Rev. Paul Wasswa of the African Evangelistic Team from the Life Ministries, Ms. Mary Kuteesa and the leaders of Kiruhuura district.
President Museveni was happy to attend the youth convention adding that the youth in their teenage time, need to be guided in order to be able to avoid making mistakes in life.
“When I hear that there is a meeting for the youth, I feel delighted. A child needs education and when a child grows and becomes a teenager, then there is the problem. So, my being here is to guide you,” he said.
Mr. Museveni urged parents to be close to their children and provide them with the necessary guidance adding that the appropriate advice to the youth involves the fear of God, loving their studies, obeying and helping their parents with household chores during holidays.
The President further encouraged the youth to always help their parents to know what they are not aware of, for purposes of development. He further counselled the youth to avoid alcoholism, smoking and immorality that can lead them to contracting diseases like the HIV/AIDS pandemic that can destroy their valuable lives.
He also advised the youth to avoid early marriages until the completion of their studies and also to make the right choices as well as test for HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis.
Regarding education, the President called on the youth to study subjects that are marketable, reminding them that the economy of the country is based on the 5 sectors that they can make a selection from.
He named the sectors as commercial agriculture, industries, services, ICT and Public Service.
Mr. Museveni also urged the youth to be frugal in their expenditure, teach their parents to avoid land fragmentation and always love their relatives and neighbours by advising and guiding them on development issues.
The Bishop of North Ankole Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Steven Namanya thanked President Museveni for supporting education in the country and the convention.
