A new law is in the pipeline, and if passed, university graduates will be required to do mandatory national service.
This is according to the State Minister for National Guidance, Godfrey Kabbyangu.
Kabbyangu made the revelation at a stakeholders meeting to review the national guidance policy on Wednesday.
According to the state minister for national guidance, national service is important in building patriotism, and fostering unity among people from different backgrounds.
Kabbyangu says previously, military training was a pre-requisite for national service, however, government wants to demystify that.
“For one to go for national service, they always first go for military training so that you are able to defend your country and also defend yourself if you are attacked. But then we want to demystify that, it is not all about military service, it is about so many things. It used to be in Uganda here, students after orientation used to go and serve in different districts as teachers, nurses, doctors voluntarily and this was all national service,” he noted.
The proposal comes at a time when graduates are required to have sufficient experience prior to finding employment.
The mandatory service will enable graduates earn a bit of experience as they do voluntary work for the country.
This practice, according to Honourable Kabbyangu, will enhance patriotism among nationals.
Related: Government to Introduce Patriotism Lectures in Universities
