The Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) have brought forward activities marking the 45th Tarehe Sita anniversary due to the forthcoming general elections.Tarehe Sita,” a Swahili phrase meaning ‘the sixth day,” commemorates the launch of the National Resistance Army’s (NRA) armed struggle on February 6, 1981.
The attack on Kabamba Military Barracks, led by Yoweri Museveni—now President—marked the start of the five-year Bush War that eventually brought the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to power and laid the foundation for the present-day UPDF.
Traditionally held on February 6, the Tarehe Sita commemoration features a week-long series of civil-military activities, known as Defense Forces Week, held on a rotational basis across regions of the country.
This year’s events are being conducted in the Kigezi Sub-region under the theme: “Defending the Gains of the Revolution and Honouring the Sacrifices of the Freedom Fighters: A Call for National Unity, Peace and Socioeconomic Transformation.”
At around 11 a.m. on Thursday, soldiers from the Land Forces headquarters in Bombo carried out a cleanup exercise in Bamunanika Town, Luwero District, as part of the early activities.
The UPDF also offered a free medical camp at Bamunanika Health Centre III, focusing on patients with non-communicable diseases. Those who need a referral are referred to Bombo Military Hospital still for free services.
On the sidelines of the exercise, Maj. Peter Mugisa, Public Relations Officer for the Land Forces in Bombo, said the anniversary activities were rescheduled to avoid clashing with the electoral period. Ugandans will vote for a president and Members of Parliament on January 15, 2025.
According to Maj. Mugisa, they don’t want to disrupt the polls. He explained that the heightened political activity expected after the end of this year would make it difficult for the army to fully engage the public in the usual community outreach programmes. He added that Thursday’s cleanup was meant to set an example for residents on the importance of maintaining clean and healthy surroundings. Similar activities are planned for Bombo Town on Friday, December 5, 2025.
Lt. Col. Muzamir Kulabako, attached to the Bombo Joint UPDF Services and officiating at the launch of the week-long activities in Luwero, said the army plans to intensify community sensitisation on the importance of proper sanitation.
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