President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the Commander-In-Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has said the base of the national army is good despite a few challenges.  

He attributed some of the challenges to people whom he said are " bringing pollution "to the UPDF.

"The command should not tolerate those who bring pollution into the army,” he ordered on Thursday in Kampala.

Pastor Patience Rwabwongo and Bishop Lwere and UPDF senior officers led by the CDF during prayers at Kololo

The President gave the warning while addressing hundreds during the 13th Tarehe Sita Thanksgiving prayers at Kololo Independence Grounds. The event ran under the theme: “How can I repay The Lord for all His benefits to me?”.  

Tarehe Sita, also known as the 6th of February, commemorates the day in 1981 when the National Resistance Army (NRA), led by Yoweri Museveni, launched an armed rebellion against the government of Milton Obote. This year, the 43rd Tarehe Sita Anniversary will take place in Buyende District within the Busoga Sub-region.

President Museveni chats with Dr Henry Krabbenum as Pastor Patience Rwabwogo and other members look on during the 13th Tarehe Sita thanksgiving ceremony at Kololo on Thursday

At Kololo, President Museveni on Thursday said UPDF is doing well professionally and assured Ugandans that the few challenges which are faced by the army will be sorted out.  

“It is true that there's some corruption in UPDF now, they should not tell you lies that there's no corruption. Some corruption has crept in like stealing of fuel, some of the money and some other mistakes. Why should soldiers be used in land evictions? What are they doing there? They are not policemen. Such challenges have crept in, and we have talked about them, but the good thing is that such mistakes are made by the minority, those people who are near the resources. They offend the majority who suffer and report. So that will be sorted out,” said the tough-talking Museveni. 

He used the occasion to commend the army on a number of achievements. 

Some of the UPDF officers who attended the 13th Tarehe Sita thanksgiving ceremony at Kololo on Thursday.

“On the professional side, things are moving on well. It is really a good army; it is able to operate in a very difficult situation like in Congo and Somalia. Things are not so easy, but they operate because they are educated people.”

Gen.  Museveni attributed UPDF's successful story to a combination of ideology and spirituality.  

“Our ideology was a mixture of our traditional beliefs here and religion. In our traditions we despise treachery, we don't even believe in cowardly attacks and when we came to the religion, we found many of the teachings were similar to our traditions and when we were building this force, we despised treachery and corruption,” President Museveni noted.  

President Museveni chats with Dr Henry Krabbenum as Pastor Patience Rwabwogo and other members look on during the 13th Tarehe Sita thanksgiving ceremony at Kololo on Thursday.

"In 1979, there were groups within us with ideas of shortcuts. One of the ideas was that we assassinate Oyite Ojok. Some people brought that idea to us, but we rejected it; we cannot assassinate a man in his home with his family. They said that if we cut the head of Ojok, UPC powers will be cut down. We said we shall fight them military to military. So, we always take the long route.”

The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs,  Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja said the event at Kololo is one of the many occasions that bring together the entire defence family and a wider fraternity that supports the advancement of the country's defence mission.  

“It is days like these that remind us that we are all part of our larger community with wider responsibilities and a bigger purpose.  We are here today for this thanksgiving and we express this gratitude to you for exemplifying values that have contributed to the success of UPDF during the course of your entire career,”  he said.  

 The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi said the thanksgiving has become an annual celebration anchored on devine reflection as an apex of Tarehe Sita activities which normally take the army to the people.  

Pastor Patience Rwabwogo addresses the congregation during the 13th Tarehe Sita thanksgiving ceremony at Kololo on Thursday

He added that through such celebrations, they recognize the central role of God, not only in the matters of the UPDF but also in the affairs of Uganda and the African people.  

“We are now exporters of peace and security in the region and it's also worth noting that while Uganda has had a number of armies in the past, what separates UPDF from the previous armies is its clear ideology which is enshrined in its unique principles, ideas and values, obviously with the guidance of the visionary and committed leadership by Your Excellency. Because of that, UPDF has continued to fulfil its mission of totally liberating Uganda and playing a vital role in Pan Africanism.” said the CDF.

Former Premiers Kintu Musoke and Amama Mbabazi and Hon Bidandi Ssali during the 13th Tarehe Sita thanksgiving ceremony at Kololo on Thursday.

The guest speaker, Mrs. Patience Rwabwogo, a Senior Pastor at Covenant Nations Church said UPDF is a highly professional army where education, world class training, use of the State-of-the-art technology and international standards are practised.  

“I'm deeply honoured to be with you today as we celebrate the 13th Tarehe Sita Thanksgiving service commemorating 43 years of God's blessing and favour over the UPDF and the nation. The UPDF has Forces deployed not only in Uganda but also in the region as the main exporter of peace to the countries around us. As a nation, we are so proud of the UPDF,” she said.  

Hon Oboth Oboth, Gen Kayihura and others in prayers during the 13th Tarehe Sita thanksgiving ceremony at Kololo

Guests included senior politicians, cabinet ministers, s Members of Parliament, UPDF leadership, among others.

Among the politicians were former prime ministers John Patrick Amama Mbabazi, Kintu Musoke who shared a table with former minister for Local Government Jaberi Bidandi Ssali. The 86-year-old seasoned politician is also  the founder president of  the People's Progressive Party .

The trio were among dignitaries that received President Yoweri Museveni at Kololo