Tarehe Sita: Security agencies clean up Mukono trenches

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A combined contingent of Mukono police, the UPDF TOKORA II Brigade based at Mpoma Satellite Station and the office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) have today conducted a general mop-up exercise ahead of the 42^nd Tarehe Sita celebrations to be held in Kyotera, Greater Masaka on Thursday.

The force was beefed up by Mukono General Hospital staff, Mukono RDC Hajat Fatuma Ndisaba Nabitaka, the head of Greater Mukono Inter-Faith Forum Pr Samuel Lwandasa, Kassanda Deputy RDC Mike Ssegawa and other dignitaries, cleaned Mukono General Hospital, Mukono taxi park and Kame Valley Market.

RDC Fatuma Ndisaba of Mukono Municipality addressing the media. (Photo by Henry Nsubuga)

The army day code-named Tarehe Sita derives its name from the day NRA commander Yoweri Kaguta Museveni led a team of 41 combatants armed with only 27 guns to the jungles of Luweero Triangle, and made the inaugural shot at Kabamba which signaled the beginning of the five-year protracted war that ushered into power the NRM government.

During the clean-up, Mukono Battalion Commander, Lt Col Moses Muyamba, said that during the army week, soldiers remember civilians’ contribution to the struggle, and so join them in activities like cleaning civilian establishments like schools, markets and other public places.

Mukono RDC, Hajat Fatuma Ndisaba Nabitaka and Pr Samuel Lwandasa, the head of Greater Mukono Interfaith Forum carrying a sack of garbage collected after cleaning. (Photo by Henry Nsubuga)

Lt Col Muyamba disclosed that elsewhere in Greater Masaka, the army is simultaneously constructing schools and health units as a corporate social responsibility for the civilians’ contribution to war victory.

The RDC Hajat Ndisaba said the UPDF has distinguished itself as a people’s army because it has its roots in civilians’ sacrifice during the war.

“We came from the people and are under obligation to continue honouring this oneness,” she noted.

She also pointed out that, it is imperative for civilians to be sensitized that it is unhealthy to stay in unhygienic surroundings so that they can in turn sensitize their children that people must sometimes engage in physical work rather than contracting hired labourers all the time.

Mukono General Hospital Infection Prevention Control (IPC) Focal Person, Joyce Nakalema, said the cleanup exercise was a step in the right direction, coming in a timely manner when the unit is constrained with a shortage of staff for the work.