The Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, has called on officers of the Uganda Prisons Service to embrace their role as drivers of economic transformation by leveraging their leadership positions to boost household incomes and foster community development.
Todwong made these remarks while addressing officers enrolled in various command and leadership courses at the Uganda Prisons Academy and Training School in Luzira. The gathering brought together participants from the Intermediate Command and Staff Course, the Junior Command and Staff Course, the Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Course, and the Junior Non-Commissioned Officers Course.
Leadership as a Tool for Economic Growth
During his address, the NRM Secretary General emphasized that the influence wielded by prisons officers extends beyond correctional facilities and into the wider community. He encouraged the officers to use their professional standing to inspire wealth creation initiatives among ordinary Ugandans.
According to Todwong, leadership should not be confined to maintaining order and discipline within the service. Rather, it should serve as a catalyst for economic empowerment, particularly at the household level where many families continue to struggle with poverty.
A Call for National Unity
Turning to the issue of national cohesion, Todwong urged the officers to actively reject sectarianism and discrimination in all its forms. He stressed that individuals should be evaluated based on their skills, competence, and contributions to society rather than their tribal or religious affiliations.
The call comes amid ongoing national conversations about unity and the need to build a more inclusive society where merit and character take precedence over ethnic identity.
Corruption Described as a National Obstacle
The NRM Secretary General did not shy away from addressing corruption, which he described as a significant barrier to Uganda's progress. He challenged the officers to uphold the highest standards of integrity, discipline, and accountability in the execution of their duties.
Todwong's remarks resonate with broader government efforts to combat graft within public institutions, including the Uganda Prisons Service, which plays a critical role in the country's justice system.
Officers Tasked to Lead by Example
The officers attending the various courses are being trained to take on greater responsibilities within the service. Todwong's message underscored the expectation that their leadership will extend beyond the academy walls and into the communities they serve.
By promoting wealth creation, rejecting division, and upholding integrity, the officers can contribute meaningfully to Uganda's development agenda, he noted.
The address concluded with a sense of renewed purpose for the officers, who are expected to apply the lessons learned during their training to their daily work and community interactions.
