The President People's Development Party (PPP) and a 2016 presidential contender, Dr. Abed Bwanika, wants the 2nd edition of President Yoweri Museveni's "Sowing the Mustard Seed" book analyzed by the National Curriculum Development Center-NCDC before it is distributed to secondary schools.
The National Curriculum Development Center is mandated with reviewing and introducing curriculum reforms at primary, secondary, tertiary levels of education, in pre-school and post-school education and in teacher education.
In February 2017, President Museveni launched the second edition of the Mustard Seed book. The first edition was published in 1997. In the book, Museveni talks about his childhood, education and family, his early involvement in politics and comrades he fought with and those that he worked with in the early days of the National Resistance Army struggle.
On May 2nd, 2017, Museveni donated the second edition of his book to all government secondary schools across the country. Copies of the book are supposed to be stored in the school library for easy access by all students and teachers. Teachers are also expected to encourage students to read the book.
However, Bwanika who lost to Museveni in the 2016 general elections questions the way the copies of the books are being rushed to secondary schools.
Speaking to journalists on Monday evening in Kabale town, Bwanika said there is need for the National Curriculum Development Center to analyze the book to certify that it contains factual information as opposed to serving the personnel interests of the author.
He also says there is need to validate the book to find out if it captures the full details and names of all the people involved in the 1981-1986 guerrilla war. According to Bwanika, the book is likely to create bias among young Ugandans if it is distributed without being analyzed.
