By Nangayi Guyson – nangayi.guyson@alleastafrica.com
Kampala,Uganda –The distribution of the re-edited book of the Ugandan president Museveni known as “Sowing the Mustard Seed” in every government owned schools is causing controversies in the country.
All government aided secondary schools across Uganda will soon receive a donation of over 3,301 copies of President Yoweri Museveni’s book entitled ‘Sowing the Mustard Seed
The Ministry of Education headed by Janet Museveni who is the wife to the President last month issued a statement in which head teachers of government-aided secondary schools were directed to get their students to read President Museveni’s book, “sowing the Mustard Seed”
In the statement to the heads of schools, the ministry said, “You are required to ensure the book is readily available to students and you are urged to encourage students to read the book.
These students must know the causes of our troubled national history, subsequent liberation and path to national recovery” the ministry said in a statement.
the same statement further said that the book will also ‘promote a proper understanding, appreciation and loyalty to Uganda’s national identity in a bid to foster peace and national cohesion for development.
However, critics say the move by the ministry of Education to distribute copies of Museveni’s Book is indented to manipulate and indoctrinate the youth, most of who have not known another President. Further, they claim that the book has since been re-edited, removing some of his former comrades in the five-year bush struggle which carries little meaning now.
Former President of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Olara A. Otunnu said “what a terribly idea for the schools, our children are to be brainwashed with reserved version of history” he said.
He was ‘Sowing the Mustard Seed’ was first published in 1997 and was re-edited ahead of the 2016 presidential election, Mr Museveni rewrote the book, editing out the names and contribution of the people he was with during the bush war but has since fallen out with.
It is largely based on a series of interviews Mr Museveni gave to British historian Kevin Shillington.
The Ministry of Education says the book should be kept in each school’s library as a reference book and students should be encouraged to read it.
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