PHOTOS: UPDF Celebrates Tarehe Sita in Kitgum
The President of the Republic of Uganda and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces H.E Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has advised Ugandans to embrace the four pillars of NRM that eliminated the past negative forces to transform themselves.
The President remarked that just like the NRM, the success of UPDF missions depends on patriotism, pan-Africanism, democracy, and socio-economic transformation.
President Museveni made the remarks while officiating at the 38th Tarehe Sita Anniversary in Kitgum district Core Primary Teachers’ College grounds.
Tarehe Sita 2019 is celebrated under the theme: “UPDF and the People: Consolidating the Peace for Sustainable Development and Prosperity.”
The president added that UPDF is a pro-people Army since the people make the foundation of UPDF and without the people one cannot have an army, noting that earlier attempts to form a National Army failed because of lack of certain ingredients like having the wrong diagnosis of what makes a national army.
H.E Museveni commended the People of Acholi Sub-Region for fighting alongside UPDF in the liberation of Uganda and encouraged them to invest in commercial agriculture, industrialization, service sector, and Information Communication Technology to accumulate wealth and create jobs. “The community should be aware of this and everybody should play their part to transform Uganda,” he said. Gen Museveni advised farmers to concentrate on coffee, fruits, dairy farming, piggery, poultry, vegetables and fish farming for those near water to improve their welfare, saying these are high-value projects. He advised that sugarcane growing, cotton, tobacco and maize should be left for medium or large scale farmers.
He promised to inject more money in the process of compensating veterans, adding that Uganda has built more capacity and nobody can destabilize it. “We never attack innocent people and nobody should disturb the peace that has ushered in this transformation,” President Museveni warned.
On major infrastructural development, the President said Northern Uganda will soon provide more electricity to industrialize Uganda with the construction of Karuma dam at 650MWs, Agago at 88MWs, Ayago at 840MWs, among others. With roads, he said many have been tarmacked and promised to construct more to ease transport of goods and services. He, however, reminded Acholi Sub-Region residents that Government prioritizes its work according to the available means and cautioned politicians against being opportunists.
On security, the President noted that the conflict in Apaa is caused by politicians who engage in cheap politics and urged residents not to resort to violence when solving conflicts.
The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs Hon Adolf Mwesige lauded the President and Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces for building a professional and disciplined force that has pacified Uganda. He further thanked the People of Acholi Sub-Region for sustaining the historic and strategic partnership with the UPDF. Hon Mwesige congratulated UPDF for ushering peace in Uganda and beyond and noted that UPDF is envied world over.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hon Okello Oryem said UPDF achievements have registered a turning point in the history of Uganda. He lauded UPDF for transforming Uganda and guarding peace.
Hon Hillary Onek the Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees commended residents for accelerating the defeat of LRA and urged them to support all Government programs against poverty.
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Forces Gen David Muhoozi remarked that UPDF has brought peace to Uganda for transformation to take root.”There are things that were invisible but now visible with the new order,” he noted. He said UPDF has restored confidence to the people because it is built on the principle of patriotism and pan-Africanism.
Hon Beatrice Anywar the Member of Parliament representing Kitgum Municipality thanked UPDF for choosing to celebrate its day with the Acholi people.
The UPDF Chief Political Commissar commended the people of Acholi Sub-Region for identifying with UPDF and thanked them for the sacrifices made in liberating Uganda. He mentioned that the symbolic 2019 civil-military activities will make a landmark contribution in changing peoples’ lives in the region.
The celebration closed with the Master of Ceremonies of the Chancellory Hon Lt Gen Ivan Koreta calling forward those awarded Golden Jubilee, Nalubale, Rwenzori star, Masaba star and Luwero medals by the president for their unwavering contributions in different aspects.
First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Hon Janet Kataha Museveni,Deputy Chief Justice Justice Owiny Dollo, 2nd Deputy Prime Minister Hon Kirunda Kivejinja, IGP Okoth Martin Ochola, Deputy NRM Secretary General Hon Richard Tadwongo, cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, Commissioner of Prisons, Permanent Secretaries, military delegations from other countries, Officers and Men of UPDF were among hundreds who attended the function.
