Summary:
- Col. Katabazi highlighted the flaws in the colonial curriculum, emphasizing that it was never designed to benefit Ugandans.
MBARARA: The Deputy Director General of the Internal Security Organization (ISO), Col. Emmy Katabazi, has strongly criticized Uganda’s inherited colonial education system, describing it as a tool of enslavement rather than development.
Col. Katabazi made these remarks while addressing youth from western Uganda at the Igongo Cultural Center, Biharwe, Mbarara, under the theme “The Day of the Youth in the Revolutionary Struggle for Unity, Security, Peace, and National Prosperity.”
Col. Katabazi highlighted the flaws in the colonial curriculum, emphasizing that it was never designed to benefit Ugandans.
“What took youth to school was to gain knowledge and skills that you can’t acquire at home—not to study the Canadian Prairies,” he said. “Education should equip you with skills that create employment opportunities. Yet, we have a system where someone teaches entrepreneurship but cannot even run a simple kiosk, and yet they award degrees. Do you see the problem?”
He further described the colonial education system as a deliberate strategy to keep Ugandans dependent.
He pointed out that it focused on industries and infrastructure in colonial cities while encouraging Ugandans to grow raw materials like cotton for export.
Col. Katabazi also decried the historical inaccuracies perpetuated by colonial narratives, such as claims that Europeans “discovered” Lake Victoria and the Rwenzori Mountains.
“How could anyone discover Lake Victoria when the people of Busoga were already living there? How could they discover Mt. Rwenzori when it is visible from Kisoro District? Ugandans were alive and knew these features—they didn’t need anyone to discover them,” he asserted.
Col. Katabazi emphasized that acquiring skills is essential for employment and a solution to Uganda’s high unemployment rate.
“You can’t be employed without a skill. Without a skill, you are unemployable. Unemployment can only end if we focus on skill development,” he stated. He urged the youth to prioritize practical skills that can lead to self-employment and economic independence.
Col. Katabazi also addressed concerns about the government’s Parish Development Model (PDM), designed to uplift the poorest citizens through financial support.
He expressed concern over reports of some parish chiefs exploiting the program by demanding bribes from beneficiaries.
“The PDM is meant to help poor Ugandans by giving them Shs 1 million. But instead, some parish chiefs are demanding bribes of Shs 200,000, leaving beneficiaries with only Shs 800,000. Yet these same Ugandans are required to repay the full Shs 1 million, which is both unfair and exploitative,” he said.
Col. Katabazi warned the corrupt officials, saying, “These chiefs are collecting illegal taxes even worse than URA. I urge them to stop before we come for them. Young people must support the government in eradicating these bad practices so we can leave a developed country in your hands.”
In his concluding remarks, Col. Katabazi called on the youth to cultivate patriotism and focus on productive activities.
“Love your country, Uganda, and work toward its development. Stay away from unproductive habits, such as wasting countless hours on social media. Instead, invest your time in ventures that contribute to national growth,” he advised.
He stressed the vital role of youth in shaping Uganda’s future and urged them to take responsibility for ensuring the nation’s prosperity.
