In a show of unity and patriotism, the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service, civilian leaders and area residents came together to clean Kisoro, Rukungiri, and Kanungu municipalities as part of the 45th Tarehe Sita anniversary celebrations.
In Kisoro, UPDF personnel and area residents joined forces to clean the town, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in maintaining cleanliness and order.
The earlier launch of the exercise was led by Deputy RDC Dan Ndikumwami, who highlighted the significance of partnering with civilians to strengthen the bond between the UPDF and the community, further urging residents to clean their environment daily for medical reasons.
He appreciated the discipline exhibited by UPDF, saying this has made their operations successful.
“The importance of partnering with civilians to clean up the town strengthens the bond between UPDF and civilians,” Deputy RDC Dan Ndikumwami said. “We thank the security forces, particularly UPDF, for being pro-people and giving back to the community,” he added.
The UPDF Kisoro District Civil Military team leader, Lt Col Godfrey Rwabujumbure, noted that cleaning the town demonstrates the UPDF’s connection to the people. “We came from the people and after retirement, we go back to the people,” he said, adding that the cleaning is testament to the fact that UPDF is and remains a Peoples’ Army.
Speaking also during the cleaning exercise, the Town Clerk Kisoro Municipality Council Mr Ayub Kisubi expressed happiness for UPDF work ahead of the 2026 Tarehe Sita Anniversary.
He said: ” We are happy as a team, we are delighted and pledge to continue fostering this collaboration. We thank the President and CDF for allowing these gallant Men and Women join hands to clean Kisoro Municipality Council.”
” As Kisoro, we cherish a clean environment, and we are doing our best to ensure cleanness in town,” he added.
Kisoro Municipality Council Deputy Mayor Mbonigaba Augustine applauded UPDF for their infrastructural, ideological training, and medical camps, among others, in the area. He thanked UPDF for cooperating with the local community to give a face-lift to Kisoro town.
The Kisoro District Health Inspector Birungi Jane scovia, was also grateful to UPDFs’ cleaning activity, saying ” By the end of the cleaning exercise, the town would be looking better.”
In Rukungiri, a similar exercise was led by Maj Bazinzi Nathan, the Commanding Officer 14 Battalion in charge of Greater Rukungiri. Maj Bazinzi emphasized that the activity was a symbolic gesture of giving back to the people with whom the UPDF shares a deep historical bond.
“Today we clean the town of Rukungiri together with the Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service and the civilian population to give back to the people because we have always worked together with them,” Maj Bazinzi said. “From 1981 to 1986, the people fed, sheltered, and supported the then NRA now UPDF to ensure that this country achieves peace. So today we clean to show the people that we came from them, and we shall continue to work with them, protect them, their belongings, and their livelihoods. We vow never to return to the bad days they came from,” he explained.
The District Police Commander (DPC) of Rukungiri Municipality, SSP Ampire Brian, praised the joint effort and highlighted its importance in strengthening community responsibility.
In Kanungu, the UPDF exhibited high levels of discipline and humility during the cleaning exercise. Mr. Bahirwa Lovegeri, Mayor of Nyamirarwa Town Council, commended the UPDF for their efforts, saying it has set a good example for the community to follow.
“The UPDF has inculcated discipline in the forces, unlike previous armies that were not pro-people,” Mr. Bahirwa said. He added that he is delighted that the UPDF chose Kanungu district, particularly Nyamirama Town Council, for the cleaning exercise, and promised to maintain the cleanliness of the area.
Lt Col Sam Ntungura, Head of CIMIC teams for 2026 in Kanungu district, thanked the local government leaders for their hospitality and support. He called on the population to always prioritize cleaning their environment to minimize sickness and eliminate wastage of resources in hospitals as they seek treatment.
The cleaning exercises in Kisoro, Rukungiri, and Kanungu saw participants sweep the towns, slash overgrown areas, and collect garbage from various points, leaving the areas looking cleaner and demonstrating the spirit of partnership that Tarehe Sita celebrations stand for.
The events were attended by local leaders, including Kisoro Municipality Council Town Clerk Mr Alikwan Ayub Kisubi, Mayor Kisoro Municipality Augustine Bonigaba, Rukungiri Municipality Deputy Mayor Mr. Turyabwe Bernard, and Kanungu district leaders, who all praised the UPDF for their efforts in promoting community development and unity.
The Tarehe Sita celebrations commemorate the sacrifices of freedom fighters who fought for Uganda’s liberation, culminating in the 1986 revolution. This year’s celebrations are themed “Defending the Gains of the Revolution and Honouring the Sacrifices of the Freedom Fighters: A Call for National Unity, Peace, and Socio-Economic Transformation.”
