Army week activities kick off

Launching the Army Tarehe Sita week, at the ministry headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala on Friday, sections of MPs from Lango sub region disagreed with some of the proposed activities ahead of the celebrations. The celebrations will be held in Apac District.

"Instead of giving us internet in Kole, why don't you instead connect power at the health centres or roof a classroom because they are so many classes with no roofs yet the school is starting soon," said Bonny Okello, the Kole MP.

Other MPs were not happy that the army has decided to commemorate the day in Apac district.

Charles Abacacon Angiro, MP for Erute North in Lira District requested the army to come with enough drugs because the number of patients with HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B has increased.

This is the 36th Tarehe Sita anniversary. The week is marked annually in remembrance of the first armed attack, in which President Yoweri Museveni launched the guerrilla war on February 6, 1981.

Museveni led the National Resistance Army (NRA) in a five-year armed struggle and captured power on January 26, 1986.

The Minister of State for Defence, Col. Charles Engola Okello, flanked by the Chief of Defence Forces, Maj Gen. David Muhoozi launched the activities, which will culminate into the Tarehe Sita celebrations on February 6 in Apac district at Boma Grounds.

This year's theme is: The people and their security forces, celebrating a patriotic partnership that guarantees security for national development.

Engola said Apac was chosen because it suffered during the LRA insurgency and experienced a number of problems, including floods and famine.

He said the event was meant to appreciate the contribution made by the people of Lango region in bringing peace, stability and development in the country.

"I am appealing to the leaders in Apac district to join us in the celebrations by turning up in big numbers so that they all benefit from our services," Engola said.

Muhoozi said the armed forces always come to the rescue of the civil society when called upon.

"This event will strengthen our relationship with the people. We are going to use the little we have to treat those who are sick and also screen many for hepatitis B and HIV" he added.

The activities will include water extension to the health units, renovating doctors' residents, completion of teacher's quarters, classroom, rehabilitation of boreholes and internet installation in health centres.