The Minister of Education and Sports, Ms. Janet Kataaha Museveni, has called on students to avoid immoral behavior, warning that it can derail their academic progress. Speaking at the conclusion of the sixth Youth Regional Summit at St. Henry’s College Kitovu in Masaka, Ms. Museveni, who is also Uganda’s First Lady, emphasized the importance of personal responsibility, aligning with the summit’s theme, “My Life is My Responsibility.”

Addressing over 3,200 students, the minister expressed concern over the influence of older individuals who exploit young people, leading to sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies, and school dropouts. She urged students to resist such temptations and prioritize their future.

“Some young ladies are lured by gifts like phones and laptops from older men. If you see them, run. No phone is worth more than your life,” she cautioned.

Ms. Museveni also advised students to choose friends who respect authority and stay away from harmful content on social media, warning of its potential to promote self-destructive behavior.

During the summit, Rose Mary Kansiimea, a teacher and first deputy headteacher at St. Henry’s College, raised concerns with the First Lady about issues affecting schools, including inadequate facilities for students with disabilities, insufficient study materials for the new curriculum, and the negative impact of unregulated bars near schools.