At least 400 persons across the Busoga sub-region underwent surgical operations during medical camps hosted by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in the past two weeks.

“A total of 362 general surgeries took place, including 11 hysterectomy procedures and 49 c-sections. The population greatly appreciated the services of our medical personnel,” UPDF Chief Political Commissar, Maj. Gen Henry Mastiko revealed on Tuesday.

The medical camps in several districts began on January 26, 2024, at various hospitals where the UPDF deployed specialists working alongside medical personnel in the corresponding districts.

A total of 449 patients were treated in Busoga region.

The camps were held alongside different activities in and outside Uganda as UPDF commemorated the 43rd Tarehe Sita anniversary. 

At the national celebrations at Busesa in Bugweri, the CPC presented a report on different tasks accomplished.

President Yoweri Museveni was the chief guest at the celebrations under the theme: “Celebrating the People’s Struggle for Unity, Security, and Peace for Socio-Economic Transformation."

National records indicate that 43 years ago, a total of 41 patriots setting off from Kampala, attacked Kabamba barracks creating the birth of the protracted struggle that would give the UPDF the foundation.

Matsiko's report to the Commander in Chief stated that for 30 days, the UPDF also executed engineering infrastructure projects that included constructing schools, toilets and wall fences.

“Our engineering covered light works in the health and education sectors,” Matsiko said.

The projects included two classroom blocks in the Namayingo district at Namayuge College, a new maternity ward at Ndorwe Health Centre III, a toilet at Golofa landing site, and two classroom blocks in Bugiri district at Waka Waka Primary School.

In Mayuge, a special monumental market was put up in Bagade town council, two classroom blocks at Bukatube Senior Secondary School, a toilet at Bwobe Primary School, spouses’ workshops were repaired, and renovations were made at the late Kirunda Kivejinja’a home, among others.

In Kamuli, 20 new market stalls were created for youth and women, two classroom blocks at Buluya-Kawuma Moslem Primary School. In Iganga, two classroom blocks at Iganga Municipal Primary School, a 20-market stall at Namulungwe town council and some repairs at the home of the late Brig Sam Nanyumba.

In Jinja City, the UPDF put up a 117-meter wall fence that was constructed at a maternity ward at Walukube Health Centre IV that was exposed to the road. The UPDF also constructed a water-borne toilet at Mpungude Methodist Community Primary School and the construction of dormitories for 100 disabled students at Kyomya Secondary School.

Other projects included the distribution of 375 life jackets to over 1,000 leaders in the fishing communities in the Busoga region.