President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has beseeched parents to educate their children terming it as the best insurance for their future (children).
The President delivered the remarks in a speech read on his behalf by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda, Rt. Hon Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda during the thanksgiving service for EALA Speaker, Rt. Hon Daniel Fred Kidega at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu Municipality over the weekend.
"Government has committed itself to give you the basic education. Yes Primary and Secondary education are just basics. You must strive to build on what Government provides to enable your children go beyond the basic living", the Head of State said.
"So it is evident that in order to rise on the horizon, one needs to do more than just the basics. We thank Rt. Hon Kidega for going beyond the basics and that is why we are here today", President Museveni added.
He further told congregants to remember to thank the Almighty God for his supplications.
"As human beings, we are good at praying and asking God to listen to our prayers but once our hearts desires are met we are prone to forget the source from which these bounties come from" he said.
"Very few people put time aside to count their blessings and say, Thank You Lord," President Museveni added.
The service which was conducted by the Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Uganda, Rt. Rev Johnson Gakumba was attended by high ranking Government officials, EALA Members and MPs form the Parliament of Uganda, representatives of the AgaKhan Development Network (AKDN), His Highness, the Paramount Chief of the Acholi (Ker Kwaro) and thousands of well-wishers.
In the sermon of the day, Rt. Rev Gakumba asked congregants to pray that God gives society leaders after his own heart.
"Although, people casts votes, it is God who chooses leaders from among us according to the scriptures," the clergyman explained.
"Leaders are a product of their society. When we choose leaders, as we shall do soon in the next election, the leaders we choose, good or bad, are groomed from among us and are the product of our society", Rt. Rev Gakumba said.
"We thank God for the gift of leadership of Rt. Hon Daniel Kidega and we exalt and rejoice God who chose him," Rt. Rev Gakumba said.
In his remarks, Rt. Hon Kidega thanked the National Resistance Movement and President Yoweri Museveni for nurturing talent of the youth. He challenged the youth to steadfast and patriotic, inculcate self- belief and to work hard.
The Speaker hailed the people of Gulu for bestowing their full confidence in him.
He told the citizens of Gulu Municipality to take advantage of the opportunities existing under the Common Market Protocol.
"The Protocol envisages free movement of persons and services among others. My plea to you is to get organized and to look for business and other opportunities across the borders", Rt. Hon Kidega noted.
The Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Rt. Hon Jacob Oulanyah lauded the people of Gulu for their support and said the integration process was strong and on course.
The Deputy Secretary General of the NRM, Richard Todwong, hailed Rt. Hon Kidega terming his leadership at the Assembly as commendable. “May God continue to help him to serve East Africans”, he remarked.
Speaking on behalf of EALA Members, Hon Peter Mathuki, Chair of the Legal and Privileges Committee said the Assembly would fully support the EALA Speaker to ensure their mandate is realized.
On his part, the President of the Democratic Party of Uganda, Hon Norbert Mao termed integration key and urged the people of the area and Uganda to think beyond the borders.
Rt. Hon Daniel F. Kidega was elected unopposed in December 2014 to replace Rt. Hon Margaret Nantongo Zziwa and to complete Uganda’s tenure of Speakership which ends in June 2017.
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