Hon. Ambassador Nekesa Calls for More Engineers, STEM Skills to Drive Uganda’s Transformation

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) National Treasurer, Hon. Amb. Barbra Nekesa Oundo, has called on schools to strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education to equip young people with skills needed to drive Uganda’s socioeconomic transformation.

Nekesa made the call on Friday, October 2, 2026, at Iganga Progressive Secondary School, where she joined the school administration, teachers, parents and students for prayers and the dedication of Senior Four (S.4) and Senior Six (S.6) candidates ahead of their forthcoming examinations.

She commended the school for placing emphasis on prayer and spiritual guidance, saying a strong moral foundation is important in nurturing disciplined and responsible citizens.

“We have started well by putting everything before the Almighty God. The Bible tells us to seek first the Kingdom of God and the rest will follow,” Nekesa said.

She prayed for the candidates to be granted knowledge, wisdom and understanding to enable them interpret examination questions correctly and perform well in their examinations.

More emphasis on engineering

Nekesa said Uganda needs more professionals in science and technology-related fields and urged schools to give greater attention to engineering as part of efforts to prepare young people for the demands of national development.

“Other than technology, I want to urge our teachers to put more emphasis in the area of engineering. Let us produce more engineers; we are still lacking as a country in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics,” she said.

She said strengthening STEM education would help schools produce graduates capable of creating solutions to challenges facing their communities rather than depending solely on formal employment.

According to Nekesa, education should go beyond preparing learners to look for jobs and instead equip them with practical knowledge and skills that can be applied to improve livelihoods.

Students urged to become change agents

Nekesa challenged educated young people to become agents of change in their communities by helping their families embrace wealth creation and move away from purely subsistence livelihoods.

She urged students, particularly those who come from rural communities, to use the knowledge acquired at school to help their families understand and respond to socioeconomic challenges.

Her message, she said, was aimed at encouraging young people to see education as a tool for transforming not only their individual lives but also the communities in which they live.

Nekesa also encouraged the students to remain focused as they prepare for their examinations, noting that their teachers had already played their part in preparing them.

“The teachers have done their part; now the rest is yours. Remember that you cannot fatten the goat on the market day,” she said.

Calls for patriotism

Nekesa also used the occasion to encourage young people to embrace patriotism and reject sectarian tendencies, recalling Uganda's history of political and social divisions before the NRM came to power in 1986.

“Before NRM came to power in 1986, we had a problem of disunity and sectarianism in this country. People would be in a political party based on their tribe, but poverty does not know any tribe or language,” she said.

She commended Iganga Progressive Secondary School for promoting patriotism among its students, saying such initiatives can contribute to nurturing a more united society.

“Issues and tendencies of sectarianism shall be stamped out by what you have started as Iganga Progressive, to continuously preach patriotism among our young people,” Nekesa said.

She further urged young people to participate actively in national development, noting that Uganda has a predominantly young population whose energy and skills are important to the country's future.

Nekesa also spoke about her own experience in public service, saying she joined government at the age of 26 and has served for 16 years.

“I am 42 years old, but I have worked in this Government for 16 years. Meaning I joined Government when I was 26 years old. We need you to join the NRM Party because it is a party for all people from every part of the country, including the youth,” she said.

Mariam urges parents to watch over children

The Woman Member of Parliament for Iganga District, Hon. Mariam Seif, used the event to urge parents to pay closer attention to their children during the upcoming long holiday. Mariam particularly raised concern about HIV/AIDS among teenagers in Iganga, urging parents to closely monitor their children and provide appropriate guidance.

“My message to our parents is that these are your children, our children and children of Uganda. As they come for the short holiday, let us put a keen eye on them,” Mariam said.

She also called on parents to ensure their children undergo screening for sickle cell disease, saying both children and adults should be encouraged to know their status.

According to Mariam, the district is undertaking awareness campaigns targeting HIV/AIDS and sickle cell disease, while also encouraging parents to take children aged five years and below for immunisation.

She said the ongoing immunisation activities provide parents with an opportunity to ensure that children receive the necessary vaccines and remain protected against preventable diseases.

The engagement at Iganga Progressive Secondary School brought together school leaders, teachers, parents and students at a time when S.4 and S.6 candidates are preparing for their national examinations, with messages focusing on academic discipline, spiritual guidance, patriotism, health and the role of education in transforming communities.