45th Tarehe Sita anniversary: UPDF hands over quick impact projects in Kigezi

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The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) has officially handed over more than 40 quick-impact projects to communities across six districts in the Kigezi sub-region as part of activities commemorating the 45th anniversary of Tarehe Sita.

The projects are covering education, health, sanitation, transport and other community infrastructure.

They were implemented under the Tarehe Sita theme: “Defending the gains of the revolution and honouring the sacrifices of the freedom fighters; a call for national unity, peace and socio-economic transformation.”

Across Kigezi, the UPDF commissioned classroom blocks, health facilities, bridges, market structures, sanitation facilities and staff accommodation units.

In Kabale district, the projects included a two-classroom block at Kanyankwanzi Primary School, staff accommodation at Rwene Health Centre II, the Kahungye and Nyanja–Kambibi bridges, and two aqua privy toilets at Nyanja Primary School and Bugonji market.

Minister David Bahati unveils a plaque to mark the commissioning of an Aqua Privy toilet constructed by the UPDF at Nyanja Primary School.

In Rubanda district, the UPDF handed over a two-classroom block at Burorero Primary School in Hamurwa sub-county, a five-stance improved pit latrine and the Bubaale maternity ward.

Minister Huda Oleru commissions and hands over the newly constructed Burorere Primary in Rubanda.

Here, minister Oleru commissions and hands over Bubaare maternity ward in Rubanda.

In Kisoro district, the army constructed market stalls, classroom blocks, aqua privy toilets, chain-link fences and medical service facilities.

Here, the Rwamirama hands over assorted medical equipment to the Kisoro district officials headed by RDC Haji Badru Ssebyala.

In Rukiga district, the projects comprised four culvert bridges along the Nyakarambi–Kangondo Road, a two-classroom block at Katungu Primary School, staff quarters at Kitanga Health Centre II and a paediatric ward at Mparo Health Centre IV.

Muhoozi commissioning a two-classroom block at Katungu Primary School.

Minister Muhoozi commissions a two-unit housing block at Kitanga Health Centre II.

In Kanungu district, the UPDF commissioned two classroom blocks at Kangarame Primary School, a five-stance aqua privy toilet at Kishenyi Primary School, the Kihanda–Kambuga bridge and a footbridge at River Kiruruma in Kihuri.

Gen. Wilson Mbadi inspecting the Kihanda Kambuga bridge after handing it over to the community in Kanungu.

Gen. David Muhoozi commissioning the four culvert bridges on the Nyakarambi-Kangondo Road in Rwamucucu.

Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi hands over a two-classroom block at Kikarara Primary School.

In Rukungiri district, two classroom blocks were constructed at Kakokoma and Kikarara primary schools, alongside housing units at Ibanda Health Centre II and Ngooma Primary School, an incinerator at Rukungiri Health Centre IV and a five-stance water toilet at Rwakabengo Health Centre III.

Minister Muhwezi opens an incinerator at Rukungiri Health Centre IV.

The UPDF also handed over assorted equipment, including delivery beds, hospital mattresses, life jackets, reflector jackets and garbage containers.

Maj. Gen. Henry Masiko, the Joint Staff Political Commissariat and overall coordinator of the Tarehe Sita activities, commended the government ministers who presided over the commissioning ceremonies, describing their involvement as a sign of strong civil-military co-operation.

“In Kigezi, six ministers presided over the commissioning of these projects, and I want to commend them for the commitment they demonstrated,” he said.

The ministers were:

▪️ David Bahati, State Minister for Industry (Kabale)

▪️ Bright Rwamirama, State Minister for Agriculture (Kisoro)

▪️ Gen. David Muhoozi, State Minister for Internal Affairs (Rukiga)

▪️ Gen. Wilson Mbadi, State Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (Kanungu)

▪️ Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Jim Muhwezi, Minister for Security (Rukungiri)

▪️ Huda Oleru, Minister of State for Defence and Veterans Affairs (Rubanda)

'Strategic allies'

Masiko said the UPDF deliberately uses its anniversary to give back to communities, noting that the army was founded on the support of the people.

“The population are our strategic allies. The appreciation we witnessed across Kigezi affirms the strong bond between the army and the people,” he said, adding that the projects symbolise commitment rather than abundance of resources.

He reaffirmed the UPDF’s role in safeguarding Uganda’s democratic processes ahead of the forthcoming elections.

“Democracy is hard-won and still fragile. Our soldiers and security forces are under strict instructions to ensure that citizens vote freely and peacefully, without intimidation.'

In Kabale, minister Bahati praised the UPDF for its efficiency and cost-effectiveness, citing the Nyanja bridge, which he said was completed at a fraction of the cost and time usually associated with similar projects. 

Minister Bahati commissions a newly constructed housing block at Rwene Health Centre II in Kabale district.

He said government policy now supports engaging the UPDF Engineering Brigade in public infrastructure development due to its discipline and adherence to budgets.

In Rukiga, Minister Muhoozi said Tarehe Sita commemorates the historic events of February 6, 1981, honours the sacrifices of freedom fighters and reaffirms UPDF’s commitment to national security, unity and socio-economic transformation.

In Rubanda, minister Oleru said the projects would leave a lasting impact by boosting education and healthcare services while honouring the legacy of liberation heroes. 

Maj. Gen. Don Nabasa, speaking on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces, urged residents to maintain peace and discipline during the electoral period.

In Kanungu, minister Mbadi said the projects recognised the historic partnership between civilians and the UPDF during the liberation struggle and cautioned the public against taking peace for granted.

Minister Mbadi handing over medical beds to Kanungu district officials.

Mbadi commissioning a two-classroom block at Kangarame Primary School.

In Kisoro, minister Rwamirama said the UPDF’s outreach reflects the fact that soldiers originate from the same communities they serve. He thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Chief of Defence Forces and the Ministry of Defence for supporting the initiative.

In Rukungiri, minister Muhwezi thanked the government and UPDF leadership, particularly CDF Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for implementing the Tarehe Sita programme in the district.

At the same event, Maj. Gen. James Kinalwa, the Joint Staff Human Resource Management, reflected on the significance of the anniversary, noting that the liberation struggle launched 45 years ago laid the foundation for peace and stability in the country.

Minister Rwamirama commissioning a two-classroom block at Bizenga Primary School.

Rtd. Col Bright Rwamirama inspects the 10000-litre water tank donated to Bizenga Primary School.

Overall, the UPDF implemented at least 40 projects in Kigezi during the Tarehe Sita commemorations, including nine classroom blocks, six housing units, one market structure, two recreational facilities, ten transport-related projects, seven sanitation facilities, four health infrastructure projects, one water facility and one historical site.