Brig. Gen. Kabango Urges Youth to Embrace Discipline and Development Programs

ByGerald Niyirinda

Brig. Gen. Michael Kabango, the Commandant of Staff College Kimaka, has urged young people to remain disciplined, productive, and respectful as a pathway to personal and national development.

Gen. Kabango made the call while addressing hundreds of youths attending a three-day Mutolere Deanery Youth Conference held at St Paul’s Mutolere Secondary School.

He emphasized that respect for parents, elders, and leaders, coupled with strong moral values, remains essential for shaping responsible citizens. He noted that some youths have drifted away from these values, leading to behaviors that undermine their future prospects and societal harmony. According to him, hard work, continuous learning, and faith are key components in building character and managing responsibilities at different stages of life.

“I joined the army as a young boy, but I had principles. I respected my parents, my elders, my peers and colleagues, and above all, God. I also had to learn new things so that at every level I had skills to manage my responsibilities,” Brig. Gen. Kabango said, urging the youth not to forget the basic values of life.

Brig Gen Kabango, who hails from Kisoro, further noted that spiritual grounding plays an important role in shaping character, adding that “the prayers we make to God shape us every day.”

The conference also highlighted government initiatives aimed at empowering young people economically. The Kisoro District Operation Wealth Creation Coordinator, Col. Deo Kayita, encouraged youths to take advantage of the Parish Development Model (PDM), which provides financial support to improve household incomes.

“Twenty percent of the money distributed through the Parish Development Model is reserved for the youth,” Col. Kayita said. “You need to take up this opportunity and get involved in dairy farming, poultry, and agriculture.”

Col Kayita, who also commands the Kigezi reserve forces, added that each parish currently receives 100 million shillings annually under the program, with plans to increase the allocation to 300 million shillings per parish, if NRM candidate Yoweri Museveni wins the January election.

Meanwhile, the curate of Mutolere Catholic Parish, Fr. Deus Dedit Uwiringiyimana, commended Brig. Gen. Kabango for his continued support towards the development of St. Paul’s Secondary School Mutolere. He said the support has contributed to improving the learning environment but noted that more needs remain.

“In a special way, we thank Brig. Gen. Kabango for all that he does for us as the St. Paul’s Secondary School Mutolere fraternity,” Fr. Uwiringiyimana said. “We shall present our projects to him and hope for continued support, especially for the youth.”

The Mutolere Deanery Youth Conference brought together young people from different parishes to discuss moral values, leadership, and economic opportunities, with speakers encouraging them to play an active role in community and national development.