UPDF pledges loyalty to Museveni as Uganda marks 45 years of Tarehe Sita

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Uganda has marked the 45th anniversary of Tarehe Sita, the annual commemoration of the January 26, 1986, capture of power by the National Resistance Army (NRA).

The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, declared the country peaceful and the 2026 general elections the most secure since 1996.

The national celebrations took place at Kabale National Teachers College in Kabale District, bringing together regional military leaders, government officials and citizens.

Addressing guests at the event, Gen Kainerugaba, also the Senior Presidential Adviser for Special Operations, congratulated Ugandans for what he described as the calm and orderly conduct of the recent presidential, parliamentary and local council elections.

He also offered formal congratulations to President Yoweri Museveni on his re-election, pledging the Uganda People’s Defence Forces’ continued loyalty and support during the new term.

“I congratulate the people of Uganda for peacefully exercising their democratic right in the just concluded presidential, parliamentary and local council elections. Save for a few isolated cases, security was observed in most parts of the country throughout the electoral process,” he said.

The CDF said the electoral period had been characterised by a secure environment that allowed voters to participate without fear, adding that the polls were already being described as the most peaceful since 1996.

He attributed this to cooperation between citizens and security agencies, as well as adherence by voters to guidance to vote and return home peacefully.

Gen Kainerugaba also praised security forces for their response to post-election disturbances in parts of the country, including Kampala, Butambala, Mukono, Ssembabule and Luwero.

He said criminal gangs that attempted to stir unrest after the January 15 elections were dealt with promptly.

“There were criminal gangs who tried to stir up trouble in some parts of Kampala, Butambala, Mukono, Ssembabule and Luwero after the elections. The security forces dealt with the troublemakers, promptly arresting and charging scores of suspects in the courts of law,” he said.

He added that many suspects had been remanded and were awaiting trial, and commended the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service and intelligence agencies for maintaining peace during both the election period and the festive season.

Regional and International Military Delegations

The celebrations in Kabale have drawn several high-level regional and international military delegations.

Gen Kainerugaba welcomed various delegations to the Tarehe Sita cerebrations, including one led by Gen Zépherin Mamadou, Chief of General Staff of the armed forces of the Central African Republic; Maj Gen Alex Kagame, Chief of Staff of the Reserve Forces of Rwanda; Lt Gen David Kipkemboi Ketter, Commander of the Kenya Army; Maj Gen Marco Elisha Gaguti, Chief of Personnel of the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces; and Maj Gen Bruno Mandevu, the sector commander of Ituri Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“So those are some the delegations that have come to join us at this Tarehe Sita,” the CDF said, describing their presence as a sign of regional cooperation and shared security interests.

In his address, Gen Kainerugaba reaffirmed the UPDF’s allegiance to President Museveni as Commander-in-Chief, following what he termed a decisive electoral victory.

“On my own behalf and on behalf of the officers and men of the UPDF and the entire security system in Uganda, we offer our profound congratulations to you upon your well-deserved election victory, the most decisive election victory since 1996,” he said.

He pledged the military’s unwavering loyalty to the President during the 2026–2031 term, saying the UPDF would continue to support national development goals, including the drive toward upper middle-income status and broader socio-economic transformation.

The theme of this year’s Tarehe Sita celebrations is “Defending the gains of the revolution and honouring the sacrifices of the freedom fighters: a call for national unity, peace and socio-economic transformation.”

Gen Kainerugaba said these ideals had guided the revolution from its inception and remained central to Uganda’s stability and progress.

“The responsibility now lies with all Ugandans to make sure that the gains of the revolution are never lost but are secured and further built upon for the progress of Uganda, the region and Africa at large,” he said, noting the historical contribution of communities in the Kigezi sub-region.

History of Armed Struggle

Recalling events that predate the launch of the armed struggle, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni noted that talking only about Tarehe Sita would be doing injustice to the history of Uganda as far as the armed struggle is concerned.

“When you talk of Tarehe Sita, you should not forget that there were earlier struggles that actually fed into it,” the President said.

He emphasised that Uganda’s liberation history should be told as a connected story rather than isolated moments.

“The whole struggle of the people of Uganda should be well narrated in an interconnected way, so that we fully understand where we came from and the price that was paid,” he said.

He noted that earlier in the day he had unveiled a monument for people executed near the area by Idi Amin on February 10, 1973, naming Muzeyi Joseph Butwali, Kalambuzi and a young man called David Kangire.

“This was an earlier phase of the resistance of the people of Uganda. Tarehe Sita came ten years after those events, and we also had others who were executed in Mbarara, Fort Portal, Kampala, Jinja, Mbale and Gulu,” he said, stressing that these sacrifices laid the foundation for later struggles.

President Museveni also thanked Ugandans for their political support, saying the celebrations went beyond history.

“I thank the people for voting massively for the NRM. And I thank God that as we celebrate Tarehe Sita today, we are also celebrating the victory we recently achieved in the elections,” he said.

Military Situation

On the security situation, Gen Kainerugaba said the country remained peaceful “from north to south, east to west,” despite threats that had been raised by what he described as hostile actors ahead of the elections. He said those threats had been contained and overcome.

Turning to regional and internal military operations, the CDF highlighted ongoing UPDF engagements in Karamoja, where the Third Infantry Division continues to disarm remnants of armed Karachunas and discourage the acquisition of illegal weapons. He said the improved security had already begun to yield economic benefits.

“As a result, tourism and other investment opportunities have begun to pick up again on account of improved security, peace and stability in the region,” he said.

Gen Kainerugaba also reported progress in Uganda’s peace support and stabilisation missions in Somalia, South Sudan and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. He said these external deployments had a direct impact on Uganda’s internal security by contributing to regional stability.

“The ongoing external operations have a direct knock-on effect on the overall peace in our country, and therefore, by helping to stabilise the region, Uganda benefits directly,” he said.

UPDF Welfare

The CDF further addressed the welfare of UPDF personnel, describing it as a priority for the military leadership. He said conditions related to feeding, clothing and accommodation for officers and enlisted personnel had improved significantly, largely due to closer supervision of projects and a focus on value for money.

“We are making sure that all the services, divisions, independent formations and brigades throughout the UPDF receive support to address office and housing deficits,” he said.

He commended the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), Operation Wealth Creation, the UPDF Engineering Brigade, and welfare and production departments for their role in improving production standards and supporting national development.

As he concluded his speech, Gen Kainerugaba reflected on the broader significance of Tarehe Sita, noting that the country is also approaching 40 years since the 1986 liberation.

He credited the period with progress in economic growth, infrastructure development and social services, anchored on what he described as a firm foundation of security.

“I want to congratulate you, the NRM government and the people of Uganda upon reaching the 40th anniversary of the liberation of January 26, 1986,” he said, thanking the Ministry of Defence and UPDF leadership for organising the Tarehe Sita activities held in the region since November 2025.

Tarehe Sita, meaning “sixth day” in Kiswahili, marks the culmination of the NRA’s five-year bush war and the beginning of a new political and military order in Uganda.

Over the years, it has evolved into a national day of reflection on security, unity and the role of the armed forces in national development.