Special Forces in massive blood donation

By Steven Candia                                          

The Special Forces Command (SFC) has embarked on a massive blood donation drive to shore up national blood reserves.

Hundreds officers attached to SFC and their families are expected to take part in the exercise that got underway on Tuesday at the SFC Entebbe Marine base and was to continue at the Kasenyi SFC military training school. The SFC is charged with among others the President’s security.

In a campaign led by Deputy SFC Commander Col. Sabiiti Muzeyi, the first donors on Tuesday donning their neat camouflage uniforms and maroon berets turned up in huge numbers. On hand to carry out the exercise were officials of Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS). Three tents were erected in the compound for the exercise.

“The SFC embarked on the drive following reports of dwindling national reserves. We expect about 300 officers and their family members to donate blood,” Maj. Mc Dans Kamugira, the SFC director of the civil military operations who is also the supervisor of the exercise said.

More than 105 litres was expected to be raised in the drive with each soldier donating about 350mls. After donating each donor received a bottle of soda and a packet of biscuits.

 SFC spokesperson Capt. Chris Magezi said the exercise was aimed at the making a meaningful contribution to our society. “This gesture could save a life out there in need of blood,” Magezi said noting that it has been part of the UPDF tradition to establish and maintain harmonious relations with the public.

Magezi noted that the drive by the SFC is unprecedented. “This is the first time that we are mobilizing such a huge number of soldiers to take part in such an exercise to increase the national blood reserves,” Magezi said of the day long exercise.