KYANKWANZI – Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja has called on Ugandans repatriated from South Africa to remain hopeful and embrace new opportunities back home, assuring them that life’s challenges are temporary and can be overcome through faith, hard work, and integrity.
The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing the returnees at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi, where they are undergoing ideological and patriotism training aimed at helping them rebuild their lives and strengthen their commitment to national development.
In an emotional address, Nabbanja shared her own inspiring journey from selling mandazi and chapati to becoming Uganda’s Prime Minister, encouraging the returnees never to allow difficult circumstances to define their future.
“I used to make and sell mandazi and chapati for a living. I am living testimony that one can rise from humble beginnings to become the Prime Minister of Uganda. There is no permanent condition in life; every situation is temporary. Give it time, trust in God, work hard, and He will lift you up again,” she said.
Her testimony resonated with the audience as she reminded the returnees that resilience, determination, and faith can transform adversity into success.
The Prime Minister urged the returnees to uphold honesty and integrity in all their endeavors, explaining that trust was one of the greatest assets that enabled her to succeed in business before joining public service. She noted that many people were willing to extend her goods on credit because they believed in her honesty, a virtue she said opened doors throughout her life.
She further encouraged the returnees to love their country and invest in Uganda, describing it as a land full of opportunities in agriculture, trade, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship.
Rt. Hon. Nabbanja commended President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for prioritizing the welfare of Ugandans living abroad, noting that Uganda was among the first East African countries to organize the repatriation of its citizens affected by the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa. She added that President Museveni is expected to engage the South African leadership to seek lasting solutions to the attacks and improve the safety of Ugandans and other foreign nationals living there.
She appealed to the returnees not to seek revenge or harbor bitterness over their experiences but instead remain patient and peaceful as diplomatic efforts continue.
The Prime Minister also took time to recognize the individuals and institutions that made the successful evacuation and rehabilitation programme possible.
She thanked Commissioner Hellen Seku for leading the ideological and patriotism training at the National Leadership Institute, saying the programme would help the returnees rebuild confidence, strengthen their patriotism, and prepare them to contribute meaningfully to Uganda’s development.
Nabbanja further applauded Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo for coordinating the government’s diplomatic response to the crisis. She also praised Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Paul Amoru, and Lt. Col. Frank Murema of the Special Forces Command for their tireless efforts in ensuring the safe evacuation and return of stranded Ugandans from South Africa. She said their dedication reflected government’s unwavering commitment to protecting Ugandan citizens wherever they may be.
She noted that the successful repatriation was a result of close collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uganda’s diplomatic mission in South Africa, the security agencies, and other government institutions working under the guidance of President Museveni.
The returnees are currently undergoing ideological and patriotism training at NALI, where they are being equipped with knowledge on national values, discipline, self-reliance, and the opportunities available in Uganda to help them successfully reintegrate into society.
Concluding her address, the Prime Minister urged the returnees to use their experiences as a source of strength rather than despair, reminding them that every setback presents an opportunity for a new beginning.
“Your future is still bright. Believe in yourselves, trust in God, work hard, and together we shall build a stronger Uganda,” she said.
