National Guidance Book Published to Boost Civic Awareness

The Department of National Guidance at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance has formally finalised the writing and publishing of a book titled “National Symbols and Duties of a Citizen, Volume 1.” The book, a brainchild of the department’s relentless efforts to spur national ideological alignment, is the first in a series of books set to be written, published, and rolled out for consumption by the citizenry under the National Guidance Public Education Series. In the build-up to the book’s writing, the department sought to, among others, inform the readers, especially the citizens of Uganda, about the Country’s National symbols, their colours, design, meanings and use, and enable citizens to comprehend their Constitutional duties with regard to contributing to nation-building and social-economic transformation. “For a Citizen to be nationalistic and patriotic, that Citizen must have clear knowledge about what to defend as far as their nation is concerned. That citizen must be clear about what constitutes “love for his country,” his expectations from the government, and his/her role in relation to the Country,” reads one of the introductory paragraphs of the book. In the subsequent pages, the book delves into the various National Symbols, such as the National Flag, the Coat of Arms, the National Anthem, and the Crested Crane, amongst others. It details the history behind each of them, including how they were arrived at, their significance, and the meanings attached to them. Additionally, an entire section is dedicated to addressing the litany of duties that a Citizen must fulfil to realise growth in Uganda, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda of 1995 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP) IV and Vision 2040. Intriguing questions for personal reflection are also posed at the end of each section, with space to write your answers. This book is strictly not for sale and has already been distributed to select districts that the Department of National Guidance has visited recently across Uganda. However, plans are underway to make it available electronically so that Citizens can read it, understand it, and better appreciate their Country. The Department of National Guidance was established in 2006 by the President of Uganda, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and is responsible for overseeing the ideological education of the public and the political interpretation of news.