By R. Drasimaku and B. Okethwengu
The Uganda peoples’ defence forces (UPDF) has launched the armed forces week with an array of activities, including 29 engineering projects worth sh350m.
The projects will be implemented throughout the eight districts of West Nile.
The army has deployed 200 engineers to drill and construct 15 boreholes and spring water points, renovate six health centres, two pit-latrines, bathrooms, bridges and classroom blocks.
According to Gen. Jeje Odongo, the state minister for defence, the projects were one way of expressing the strong bond between the army and the civilians, whom he said, made outstanding contributions to the UPDF.
Odongo launched the annual armed forces’ week during a colourful ceremony held at Paidha Cultural Centre in Paidha town council, Zombo district on Monday.
He said the projects were identified with the help of district leaders and MPs from the region.
Throughout the week, 400 UPDF medical personnel will conduct medical camps to offer services, including immunisation of children under five years, male circumcision, dentistry, diabetes and hypertension screening.
They will also carry out voluntary HIV/AIDS testing and family planning programmes, including distributing maternity kits and condoms.
A team of financial experts from the Wazalendo Savings and Credit Co-operative Organisation of the UPDF will conduct financial literacy seminars to managers of savings and credit co-operative organisations in West Nile.
The annual army week is part of the activities to commemorate Tarehe Sita, a Swahili word for February 6, which the UPDF (formerly NRA) considers as its birthday.
