UPDF provides free medical services in Somalia to mark 45th Tarehe Sita
The outreach on Saturday was conducted through a free medical camp aimed at improving access to healthcare while strengthening civil-military cooperation with local communities.
UPDF soldiers of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia manning the pharmacy at a medical camp to celebrate Tarehe Sita 45th anniversary. (Credit: UPDF)
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The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) serving under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) have offered free medical services to Somali civilians as part of activities commemorating the 45th Tarehe Sita anniversary.
The outreach on Saturday was conducted through a free medical camp aimed at improving access to healthcare while strengthening civil-military cooperation with local communities.
A UPDF Optician offering optical care to a patient. (Credit: UPDF)
The camp coincided with activities in Kabale for national celebrations in Uganda.
The anniversary will run under the theme, “Defending the gains of the revolution and honouring the sacrifice of the freedom fighters: A call to national unity, peace and socio-economic transformation.”
Tarehe Sita is a Swahili phrase meaning "the sixth day" (February 6th) and is a major annual national holiday in Uganda that commemorates the launch of the armed liberation struggle by the National Resistance Army (NRA) on February 6th, 1981.
A medical personnel conducting a scan on a patient. (Credit: UPDF)
At the launch of the medical camp in Somalia, the Ugandan Contingent Administration Officer, Colonel Hamza Kasajja, described Tarehe Sita as a landmark day in the history of Uganda and the UPDF, representing sacrifice, patriotism, and service to humanity.
“Tarehe Sita is a very important day for Uganda and the UPDF. We are marking it by providing free medical services to the people of Somalia and fumigating the Marine Market to enhance civil-military cooperation and support socio-economic transformation,” Col Kasajja said.
A UPDF dentist doing dental care on a patient. (Credit: UPDF)
The Commanding Officer of the Level II Hospital, Captain Dr Robert John Obwapus, said the medical camp is providing a wide range of services, including eye care, dental services, general medical screening, laboratory tests, minor surgical procedures, scanning services, and pharmacy support.
Dr Sophia Abdunar Ahmed of the Somali National Special Forces (DANAB), who serves as the Somali National Army representative at the Level II Hospital, commended AUSSOM-UPDF for consistently prioritising the health and welfare of Somali civilians.