Uganda's Yoweri Museveni Hands Out Autobiography to Schools

Yoweri Museveni
Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni is pictured during his swearing in ceremony as newly elected President in Kampala on May 12, 2016. The president has donated copies of his biography to secondary schools in the country.... RONALD KABUUBI/AFP/Getty Images

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has handed out copies of his autobiography to all public schools in the country, according to the Ugandan Ministry of Education and Sports.

In a circular shared on Twitter, the ministry—which is run by the 72-year-old leader's wife, Janet—said that 'Sowing the Mustard Seeds', first published in 1997, would "enlighten our school-going youth about our national history."

The book outlines the life of Museveni from his involvement in guerrilla wars that toppled Uganda's previous leaders Idi Amin and Milton Obote, through his first election as leader in 1986 and then the first decade of his rule.

The circular said: "As you are all aware, one of the core roles of Secondary education is to promote a proper understanding, appreciation and loyalty to Uganda's national identity in a bid to foster peace and national cohesion for development."

"Sowing the Mustard Seeds [...] looks at the country's liberation struggle and the path to national recovery [and] is critical to laying a firm foundation for responsible citizenship."

Museveni was re-elected for a fifth consecutive term last year extending his 30-year mandate for another five years. Some international observers and the opposition claimed the election was rigged.

Uganda's police force has been accused of torture and arbitrary arrests of opposition activists, allegations that they have repeatedly denied.

Museveni told Al Jazeera in April that his country is one of the most democratic in the world.

But rights groups have condemned Uganda for its record on freedom of expression and freedom of the press and alleged police brutality.

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