KAMPALA – President Yoweri Museveni has told Uganda’s people to stop drinking alcohol using drugs and having unsafe sex if they want to stay healthy work hard and help the country.
In a message given by Vice President Jessica Alupo on Tuesday, August 11 at the National Youth Council Annual General Meeting in Nsambya Gardens in Kampala the President said that keeping control of yourself is the same as helping the country grow. These words were spoken the day before Uganda celebrated International Youth Day on August 12.
Museveni said that drinking much and having many partners makes the body weak and puts young people at risk of getting sick including diseases like HIV/AIDS. “You might get sick because you do not exercise. All of this will stop you from helping your country or giving your life for it like we did when we fought for democracy ” he said, talking about the fight for democracy between 1981 and 1986.
Of drinking the President told the youth to play sports and exercise regularly. He said it is important to keep the body the mind and the spirit in shape so that young Ugandans can do useful things for Uganda, East Africa and the larger continent.
The National Resistance Movement Museveni said, believes the youth can help the country grow if they are healthy educated, trained and have beliefs. He asked people to take care of their lives because their families and the country are depending on them.
This message arrives when the government is making rules stricter about alcohol. Local governments have been told to stop bars and places where people drink from opening before 3pm on workdays. There is also effort to stop selling alcohol to young people. Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi supports these steps saying they will help reduce health issues and accidents caused by drinking.
Youth leaders and people who work with people have different opinions. Some are happy about the President’s focus on taking care of yourself and staying healthy. Others say that even though it is important to be responsible the government should also fix problems like not having jobs not having money and not having work that makes young people feel frustrated and take risks.
Uganda has one of the groups of people in the world. According to information about work millions of young people aged 15 to 30 are not working, not studying and not learning new skills. Officials say this group needs help and real chances to work.
Museveni’s message is not new. He has said things to graduates and young people before. What is different this time is that he clearly connects the choices young people make in their lives to the country’s ability to change.
As Uganda celebrates its people the President’s words remind everyone that the country’s success depends not only on government plans but also on the choices young people make every day. Whether they choose to be careful or to go overboard will affect their future and the future of the country.
For now the task is still hard: making advice into actions, in a country where drinking is common and young people do not have jobs.