UPDF offers free medical services at URA taxpayers' week

Medics from Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) have joined their counterparts from other government health facilities to offer free health services to Ugandans at the 2018 taxpayers' appreciation week.

The taxpayers' appreciation week (September 26 - 28) was organised by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) at Kololo ceremonial grounds as a way of giving back to taxpayers. URA teamed up with several government agencies to offer taxpayers a number of free services.

The UPDF medical team composed of surgeons, physicians and nurses  teamed up with medics from Mulago and Lubaga hospitals to offer free medical services, noted a statement from UPDF signed by the deputy defence and army spokesperson, Lt. Col. Deo Akiiki.

The health services being offered include; free medical check-ups and vaccination for diseases like yellow fever and Hepatitis B.

"Mubende Rehabilitation Centre is helping the disabled and exhibiting limbs made at their centre. Products made by spouses of UPDF officers and men are part of the menu at the ministry of Defence stall with a host of hand-made crafts for home and personal use," the statement read.

The UPDF also exhibited the newly unveiled "Nyoka" Infantry fighting Vehicles assembled by UPDF engineers at Magamaga Nyoka Conversion Centre in Jinja, which attracted excitement from the public who were coming close to them for the first time. 

UPDF is participating in the highly-billed taxpayers' appreciation week under its mother ministry, the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.

The UPDF business arm, the National Enterprises Corporation (NEC) also exhibited a host of products from its 10 subsidiaries including explosives, ammunitions, agricultural products and many others.

The NEC Managing Director, Maj. Gen. James Mugira applauded the government of Uganda under the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni for enabling NEC and other entities to perform their duties profitably.

The First Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Gen. Moses Ali, said it is a unique opportunity in the history of Uganda when government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) join hands to showcase the importance of paying taxes .

Gen. Ali, who represented the Prime Minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, expressed gratitude towards the Office of the Prime Minister for spearheading and participating in the week-long event .

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them," he said.

Gen. Ali pledged government's commitment to ensuring that all Ugandans benefit from increased revenue generated from taxes. He applauded UPDF for being innovative and saving the government money by assembling its own fighting vehicles.

He said government has strived to ensure that social sectors directly benefit the poor by priotising infrastructure, energy, education, health and improved subsidised service delivery and increased funding to the service sector.

The UPDF deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt. Gen. Wilson Mbadi also visited the exhibition centre and commended the various participants representing the defence ministry for a job well done.

The acting URA Commissioner General, Patrick Mukibi, said the authority has seen a lot of goodness this year and is committed to fulfilling its promise to the public  to contribute towards national development.