Brig Gen Bainababo Challenges Students, Public Servants To Embrace Discipline And Integrity

The Director Women Affairs in the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), Brigadier General Charity Bainababo, has challenged students and public servants to embrace discipline, integrity and a sense of responsibility as essential foundations for patriotism and national development.

Brig Gen Bainababo made the remarks while addressing students at St Mary’s College Kisubi (SMACK) and staff of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) who are attending a transformational leadership course at Oliver Reginald Tambo Leadership School and Pan-African Centre of Excellence, Kaweweta. In separate presentations on “The Discipline of a Patriot” and “Discipline as a Patriot,” she emphasised that patriotism should not be limited to symbolic expressions such as singing the national anthem and waving the national flag, but should be reflected in everyday conduct and responsible choices.

Addressing the SMACK students, Brig Gen Bainababo challenged them to understand patriotism as more than national symbols.

“Patriotism is not simply about singing the national anthem or waving the national flag. It is reflected in the choices you make every day, how you conduct yourselves and how committed you are to contributing to the development of your country,” Brig Gen Bainababo said.

Brig Gen Bainababo emphasised that discipline is essential for anyone seeking to “launch into the deep”, drawing on the school’s motto, ‘Duc in Altum,’ and urged the students to embrace commitment, self-control and perseverance as they navigate life’s challenges.

“You cannot successfully launch into the deep without discipline. The deep seas can drown even an undisciplined sailor. Whatever ambitions you have in life, you will need discipline, self-control and perseverance to achieve them.”

She encouraged the students to maintain integrity even in seemingly small matters, resist negative peer pressure and build a reputation based on trustworthiness.

“Build your character while you are still young. Let integrity be part of you and let it become your brand. When you are faced with peer pressure, have the courage to stand by what you know is right.”

She further challenged the students to harness Information and Communication Technology (ICT) responsibly and creatively to contribute to Uganda’s transformation.

“You are the generation growing up with technology at your fingertips. Use it creatively and responsibly to innovate, solve problems and contribute to Uganda’s transformation,” she said.

Speaking to the URA staff, Brig Gen Bainababo challenged them to view their work beyond routine revenue collection, linking their responsibilities to the wider national transformation agenda.

“Revenue collection is not merely an administrative responsibility. It is a critical national service because the resources you mobilise contribute directly to the development and functioning of our country.”

Brig Gen Bainababo challenged URA staff to connect their daily responsibilities with the wider national transformation agenda.

“A patriot understands their role and mission. For you at URA, patriotism means understanding that every shilling you mobilise contributes to the resources needed to deliver public services and drive national development,” she said.

On integrity, she urged revenue officers to make honesty, transparency and accountability central to their professional conduct, particularly because they handle public resources and interact with taxpayers.

“Let integrity be part of you; let it be your brand. Your professional reputation is built by the choices you make every day, especially when nobody is watching,” Brig Gen Bainababo said.

She urged both the students and public servants to recognise patriotism as a continuous responsibility demonstrated through actions rather than declarations.