The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga, has hailed the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces for its steadfastness in fulfilling its constitutional mandate and pro-people principle that has enabled it to become a regional stabilizing force.

Kadaga made the remarks during the regional launch of the 43rd Tarehe Sita anniversary in Buyende district that will be held in Busoga Sub-region under the theme: “Celebrating the People’s Struggle for Unity, Security and Peace for Socio-economic Transformation.”

She thanked the UPDF for returning to celebrate Tarehe Sita in the Busoga region after 13 years since they last held the anniversary in the region.

In her speech read by Major General George Igumba, the Commandant Senior Command and Staff College, the Chief of Defence Forces General Wilson Mbasu Mbadi said that holding Tarehe Sita in Busoga enables the UPDF to closely conduct civil military activities that may address the underlying factors making the region vulnerable to the activities of extremist groups such as ADF who continue to recruit from the region.

The Chief of Civil Military Cooperation, Brigadier General Emmanuel Rwashande said during the activities of the Tarehe Sita week, the UPDF will carry out environmental protection by planting trees, general public hygiene and sanitation, static medical and surgical teams, construction projects across the various districts of Busoga.

 At the same event, on behalf of Wazalendo SACCO, the Chief Executive Officer, Col Joseph Freddy Onata said as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility function which focuses on critical areas that affect that people, number one being health. 

“We have donated 20 delivery beds, and 600 mama kits, we shall donate books and offer free training on SACCO Governance and Management to various SACCOs in Busoga,” Col Onota said.

Present at the launch were Ministers, Members of Parliament from Busoga Region, the Prime Minister of Busoga Kingdom, Joseph Muvawala, serving and retired Generals, senior UPDF Officers, members of sister security agencies District leaders among others.

About Tahere Sita

Tarehe Sita, which means the sixth day of the month in Kiswahili commemorates the daring attack on Kabamba barracks by National Resistance Army (NRA) rebels in Mubende district on February 6, 1981.

The attack is relived through Tarehe Sita day, held every year to honour the courage of fighters who took part in the five-year guerrilla war that ushered the National Resistance Movement (NRM) into power.