Hajji Yunus Kakande Acknowledges President Museveni's Legacy as NALI Kyankwanzi Welcomes New Director

By John Kusolo

On Friday, January 3, 2025, a significant leadership transition occurred at the National Leadership Institute (NALI), Kyankwanzi, as Brig. Gen. (Rtd) Dr. Charles Kisembo officially handed over the mantle of leadership to Col. Okei Rukogota. The handover/takeover ceremony was presided over by Hajji Yunus Kakande, the Secretary in the Office of the President.

The event was marked by speeches lauding the achievements of the outgoing Director, Brig. Gen. Kisembo, and setting the agenda for the incoming Director, Col. Rukogota. The ceremony highlighted NALI’s pivotal role in nurturing leaders committed to patriotism, socio-economic transformation, and Pan-Africanism.

Hajji Yunus Kakande began his remarks by thanking President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for ensuring peace and security in Uganda over the last 39 years under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.

“This is not a simple thing. All of us must be thankful that the country has been peaceful for the last 39 years,” he stated, adding that Uganda had been plagued by insecurity, extra-judicial killings, and a lack of rule of law before 1986.

Hajji Kakande noted that President Museveni’s visionary leadership had laid a solid foundation for a peaceful and prosperous Uganda, emphasizing the President’s commitment to Pan-Africanism and regional peace. “The President has done a lot for this country. If we go with this foundation, the future of Uganda is very bright.”

Hajji Kakande commended Brig. Gen. Kisembo for his exemplary leadership at NALI since July 2021. He credited Kisembo with transforming the institute, improving its welfare and operations, and positioning it as a hub for leadership development.

“This place would not have succeeded if it was not for your support. Your performance has been outstanding,” he said, adding that Kisembo had resolved many challenges and enhanced the institute’s reputation.

In his farewell address, Brig. Gen. Kisembo expressed gratitude to President Museveni for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading NALI. He thanked the Office of the President for unwavering support during his tenure and highlighted the need for increased capacity development to further strengthen the institute.

“We have been depending on visiting lecturers who come and go. In the next planning, we need to focus on building internal capacity,” Brig. Gen. Kisembo urged.

The incoming Director, Col. Okei Rukogota, thanked President Museveni for his appointment and pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessors. He emphasized his commitment to advancing NALI’s mission of developing visionary leaders and revolutionaries.

“I thank God for enabling us to build the critical capabilities that our leadership has graciously appreciated. I also thank the Commander-in-Chief for his guidance in grooming us into revolutionists,” Col. Rukogota said.

Col. Rukogota pledged to work diligently with stakeholders to fulfill the institute’s mandate. He expressed gratitude to Hajji Kakande for his mentorship and to Brig. Gen. Kisembo for laying a strong foundation for his leadership.

“NALI would not be what it is now without your support. I can only thank you well by ensuring that the great projects you started are executed to their successful end,” Col. Rukogota remarked.

Hajji Kakande underscored NALI’s critical role in shaping Uganda’s future by instilling patriotism, socio-economic transformation, and good governance among its trainees. He noted that the institute’s teachings had significantly contributed to national unity and inspired leaders from across the region, including Somalia, Sudan, and Malawi.

“This place is about opening the minds of all Ugandans in terms of patriotism, socio-economic transformation, and security,” Hajji Kakande said. He challenged opposition members to take advantage of NALI’s programs, emphasizing that the institute is for all Ugandans, regardless of political affiliation.

Looking ahead, Hajji Kakande assured the new Director of the Office of the President’s commitment to supporting NALI’s growth, particularly in infrastructure and capacity development. “We need more structures, improvements in the area of water, and other consumables,” he noted.

He also urged all stakeholders to work together to consolidate NALI’s achievements and elevate it to an international institute for leadership development.

As Brig. Gen. Kisembo transitions from his role at NALI, he announced his intention to enter elective politics, signaling a new chapter in his career. He expressed optimism about his future and gratitude for the opportunity to serve Uganda.

The handover ceremony marked a seamless leadership transition at NALI, with Brig. Gen. Kisembo passing the baton to Col. Rukogota. The event reflected the institute’s enduring commitment to nurturing transformative leaders and its strategic role in Uganda’s socio-economic development.

With the support of the Office of the President and other stakeholders, NALI is poised to continue its legacy of excellence, shaping a generation of leaders dedicated to patriotism, Pan-Africanism, and socio-economic transformation.