US Marine Corps Fete hosted in Kampala

By Vision reporter

The UPDF Special Forces Commander, Brig. Muhoozi Kainerugaba was on Saturday among dignitaries at Sheraton Hotel Kampala to celebrate the 240th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Other guests at the ball dinner where the U.S Embassy Chargé d'affaires, Ms. Patricia Mahoney, was the guest of honour included Chief of Military Intelligence, Brig. Charles Bakahumura, and the Director Counter Terrorism, Col. Irumba Tingira.

The evening where First Sergeant Weslie Jackson was the guest speaker was full of military pomp including the traditional cutting and serving of a birthday cake.

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U.S.  Marines presenting colours during the Marine Corps dinner

The Marines Corp are a highly trained and motivated United States military service that has been in existence sinceNovember 10, 1775.

The U.S military has four services i.e. the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Airforce and U.S. Marine Corps.

The Corps has participated in numerous military conflicts around the world, such as the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and most recently Iraq and Afghanistan.

Their motto is ‘Semper Fidelis’, which means ‘Always Loyal’.

The annual U.S Marines Corps Ball is marked around the world at U.S embassies and military bases to celebrate the history of the Corps and also to commemorate the lives of U.S soldiers that have died fighting for their country’s interests abroad.

 Chris Magezi spokesman of the SFC, said the  U.S Marines Corps Ball in Uganda  has been observed since the early 1990s after the NRM government established a stable and peaceful environment that enabled the US government to build one of the biggest embassies in Africa right here in Kampala. 

The 1964 Peace Corp Agreement was reactivated by President Yoweri Museveni and volunteers returned to the country in 1991.

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Brig. Muhoozi Kainerugaba with MSgt Earnest Frye, the U.S. Defense Attaché’s Office

Currently, a group of U.S. Marines and sailors are helping build the engineering and logistical capabilities of the Uganda People's Defense Force at Camp Singo, Uganda.

This is the second mission to Uganda for these Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa Marines and sailors' deployment.

The first mission began in late August
During the celebrations, Mahoney said the event was to celebrate an institution composed of countless brave individuals who, for 240 years, have sacrificed their personal self-interest for the national interest and their own safety and comfort for our safety and welfare. 

“Tonight we celebrate that sacrifice; it merits our gratitude, it deserves our recognition, and it commands our respect,” she said  

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Chief of Military Intelligence, Brig. Charles Bakahumura and other guests at the event.

She particularly pointed out  that the US Foreign Service,  appreciate the Marines for the service since,  “you serve with us, you stand watch for us, you keep us safe.  No matter where we go, no matter what we do, you are there for us.  You are for us the constant element in a life of constant change and dislocation.  Our children grow up far from home, far away from the America that we knew, but they know who the Marines are and that they are standing watch.”

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The cake which was cut at the anniversary ceremony

As is tradition, she also read a message to the Marines from Secretary of State John Kerry.