UPDF Leads Community Drive To Mark 45th Tarehe Sita Across Nakawa Division

The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), in conjunction with the Uganda Police Force and Uganda Prisons Service, conducted a series of community service activities in Nakawa Division. The activities, which included sweeping of markets and roads, cleaning trenches, and collecting garbage, were held in Nakawa, Bugolobi, and Kasokoso areas.

This was part of the nationwide 45th Tarehe Sita period, which commemorates the start of the liberation struggle. This year’s national theme is “Defending the Gains of the Revolution: Honouring the Sacrifices of the Freedom Fighters: a Call for National Unity, Peace and Social Transformation.”

While flagging off the activities, the Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, Brig Gen Abdul Rugumayo, said the activities offer the UPDF an opportunity to reconnect with communities during the period that commemorates the beginning of the liberation struggle.

“This is the period when we, the soldiers who participated in the liberation of this country, go back to the community to present ourselves to the people,” he said. “We remind them that we are still around and that whatever is happening now is a result of what happened 45 years ago.”

He emphasised that while the main national event is held in the Kigezi sub-region this year, all army units are mandated to conduct activities in their localities. The Defence Intelligence and Security chose to focus on Nakawa, where it is stationed.

“Maybe this act will make society better, for them to know how to keep garbage better and how to organise themselves,” Brig Gen Rugumayo said.

Brig Gen Rugumayo said the message reflects Uganda’s long journey and the need to safeguard national stability. He underscored that security remains the foundation of national development and pointed to Uganda’s hosting of about two million refugees as an indicator of the country’s stability.

Addressing the media, Brig Gen called for responsible reporting. “People are being fed a lot of information, especially adulterated pieces on social media,” he said.

“People tend to pick just five words and then add theirs, and society is not fully informed. I want you to be good ambassadors.”

Mr. Ali Mwamba, the LC1 Chairman of Kasokoso Katale, said residents were grateful for the UPDF’s continued assistance, including fumigating the village against bedbugs, constructing a shared health centre for Kasokoso and Kireka D, grading roads and giving bags of cement towards the construction of the LC offices.

In Nakawa Market, Mudasi Joseph, a leader in the market, encouraged traders to freely participate alongside the soldiers, stating that such activities foster positive interaction between the civilian population and the military.

“Through such activities, the civilian population can interact with soldiers,” he said.

The 45th Tarehe Sita anniversary activities are being held in the Kigezi sub-region in the districts of Kabale, Kisoro, Rukungiri, Rukiga, Rubanda and Kanungu with the main celebrations slated to take place on 6 February 2026 in Kabale District.

Participants included: Col Nicholas Happy Nyesiga Director of Administration Defence Intelligence and Security headquarters, Lt Col Eriab Mubangizi, Lt Col Ronald Kakurungu Deputy Head of Strategic Communication and Defence Engagement among others.