NAMUTUMBA - Ugandans have been urged to utilise the prevailing peace ushered in by the ruling National Resistance Movement government to set up income-generating activities instead of wasting time discussing politics.

The move, according to Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Wilson Mbadi will improve their household incomes.

Mbadi, in a speech read on his behalf by Gen. Sam Kavuma, says the majority of Ugandans waste most of their precious time arguing about politics or European football instead of setting up projects that would help them improve on their household incomes.

“By the time they realise that whatever they have been doing is a wastage of time, already grey hair will be on their heads," he says.

Mbadi appeals to Ugandans desist from begging and instead adopt a culture of being self-reliant in case they are to develop financially.

“After completion of your studies develop a mindset of working instead of begging again from your parents," he says.

He adds that Uganda is endowed with several natural resources that can help the youth tap into to improve their household incomes but is not being utilised fully .

The call was made on Monday during the launch of the 43rd Defence Forces week at Namutumba district headquarters.

The Defence Force Week is conducted every year with several activities including sanitation activities, civil engineering, medical outreaches and ideological orientation and is a precursor to Tare Sita.

 Tarehe Sita is a Swahili word meaning the sixth day, which in this context is the day of February 6, 1981, when the war to fight the government born out of the disputed 1980 elections was launched with an attack on Kabamba Military Barracks.

The activities will be carried out in the districts of Bugiri Bugweri, Buyende, Iganga, Jinja, Kaliro, Kamuli, Luuka, Mayuge, Namayingo, Namutumba and Jinja City.

This year’s Tarehe Sita celebrations will be held in Bugweri district in Busoga region.

Mbadi said it will be a waste of time if the country continues celebrating its independence yet the majority of its population still lies in the poverty cycles.

Army lauded for bringing peace

Housing state minister Persis Namuganza commended the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) for its efforts towards stabilising the country and the entire region besides flashing out remnants of the Lord’s Resistance army and Lakwena.

Namuganza, who is also the Bukono County Member of Parliament, while speaking as chief guest, said the discipline exhibited by the UPDF during the past few years ranks it as one of the best armies in Africa.

“Where in this world can you find a soldier freely interacting with civilians without any problem," she said.

She hailed the people of Busoga for their efforts to provide support to the soldiers in their effort to flush out Alice Lakwena rebels who had pitched camp in the area.

“Majority of the people in the Busoga volunteered to offer their cassava gardens, goats and cows to the army just to make sure that the enemy was blown away," she said.

Namutumba Resident District Commissioner Thomas Matende urged locals to embrace government programmes aimed at uplifting their household incomes.

Namutumba town council LC3 chairperson Geoffrey Mwembe said the soldiers have always expressed discipline whenever they are undertaking assignments a move that attracts him to joining NRM from the Forum for Democratic Change.