NEWS– President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who is also the Commander In Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has commended Ugandans for embracing the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ideas that has enabled the country to develop.
The President who was in company of the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs Janet Kataha Museveni, made the remarks today February 6th 2024 during the 43rd Tarehe Sita Anniversary Celebrations held at Busesa Playgrounds in Bugweri District.
The 43rd Tarehe Sita celebrations were held under the theme: “Celebrating the People’s Struggle for Unity, Security and Peace for Socio-economic Transformation” and according to President Museveni, due to the correct ideas of the NRM government, the economy of the country has progressively grown.
The President thanked the people of Uganda saying that when the National Resistance Movement brought their ideas, the people accepted them because if they had not accepted them, they would have been isolated and that is why the economy has grown so much but it could grow more if Ugandans got rid of corruption.
The President said, “On the side of security, we are going to tighten it. We have a strong army, the police, Prisons and intelligence services as well as the Uganda Wildlife Authority, they are all very capable and educated. We started the culture of recruiting educated people in the army, now because of that these army people learn very quickly so it is very easy for us to build a strong professional force.”
President Museveni also disclosed that Uganda has a very good working relationship with the neighbouring governments of Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo and added that as partners, they are now working towards achieving a regional solution to deal with the regional security problems.
“I’m glad the delegation of Algeria is here; these people have got very good technology. When I visited them, they gave me some samples. I want to buy more to simplify security. Like for instance, you have seen how cameras work, we are now going to introduce electronic vehicle number plates so that we don’t waste time with investigations”, The President said.
President Museveni further hailed the people of Busoga for taking part in the NRM/A struggle that enabled the current government to come into power, but asked Ugandans to know that the liberation was not by ourselves only and I’m very happy to have a delegation from Tanzania, because Mwalimu Nyerere helped a lot in training, providing equipment and even committing the Tanzanian Army to fight Idi Amin together with Mozambique.
While speaking at the same event, the Vice President Major Jessica Alupo Epel explained that the theme of this year’s celebrations challenges all Ugandans to safeguard the peace, unity, stability and democracy ushered in by the patriots who sacrificed their lives to liberate the country.
“Every 6th of February is a special day for both the UPDF and all the people of Uganda where we converge to honour the contribution and sacrifices which were made by patriotic Ugandans led by you Your Excellency in the NRM struggle which set a new stage for Uganda we see today; indeed, it was a fundamental change,” The Vice President said.
Major Alupo who served in the Army after her University education until she retired to join politics disclosed that the level of discipline and professionalism of the UPDF is one of the best in the world and used the opportunity to congratulate President Museveni for professionalising the national army to the global standards.
The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs, Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga who attended the function requested President Museveni to pick interest and follow the discovery of rare earth minerals in Busoga, so that the government can start training the youth at Busitema University, Busoga University or the Marine School-Namasagali in minerals studies and be able to get employment.
She further requested that the UPDF Engineers Brigade complete the construction of the unfinished Bugweri District Headquarters whose initial construction was kickoff by the Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs, thecLate Alhajj Kirunda Kivejinja before his demise and the President assured the people of Busoga that he will involve the UPDF Engineers Brigade to finish the work.
The Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja thanked President Museveni for building a modern, disciplined and strong army which has made Ugandans proud.
The UPDF Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi said they decided to celebrate this year’s Tarehe Sita in Busoga as a way of thanking the people in the Sub-region for their contribution towards the protracted struggle and also express UPDF’s solidarity with Busoga as well as giving back to the region through the many activities that have been conducted in the area.
“We want to appreciate the support that Busoga gave to our forces. Coming here also enables the UPDF to closely conduct civil-military activities that may address the underlying factors that make this region vulnerable to the activities of the extremist groups such as the ADF who continue to recruit from this region,” Mbadi said.
He also hailed President Museveni for building a modern, professional, effective and efficient force which is accountable to the people because it is anchored on a strong relationship and submits to the civil authority.
The UPDF Chief Political Commissar Maj Gen Henry Ndarubweine Matsiko, informed the President that this celebration was the climax of the busy defence forces activities which have been taking place in Busoga region namely in the districts of Bugiri, Bugweri, Buyende, Iganga, Jinja, Kaliro, Kamuli, Luuka, Mayuge, Namayingo, Namutumba and Jinja City.
“Your Excellency, 43 years ago on 6th February 1981, 41 patriots under your leadership started a journey from the suburbs of Kampala and attacked Kabamba Army Barracks signalling the commencement of a determined resistance in a form of a popular and protracted struggle by the people against the undemocratic and unjust regime,” Gen Ndarubweine Matsiko said.
At the same event, the Master of Ceremonies for the Chancery, Maj Gen George Igumba presented a total of 51 awardees for this year’s celebrations to the President who were recognized for their exceptional service to the country.
Earlier in the day, President Museveni and the First Lady visited the family of the late Alhajj Kirunda Kivejinja in Bugweri and paid tribute to the former Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs who died on 19th December 2020 from Covid-19 at Mulago National Referral Hospital and the President pledged to contribute Ugx 100 million to the family SACCO.
The event which was characterized by heavy rainfall was also attended by the Third Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon Rukia Isanga Nakadama, the former Prime Minister, Rt Hon Kintu Musoke, the NRM Secretary General, Hon Richard Todwong, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, among others.
