UPDF at 40: Fruits of a Fulfilled Partnership with Civilians

Tarehe Sita, (T6) is an annual event celebrated by the people of Uganda in general and the UPDF to commemorate the 6th of February 1981, the day of the founding of the National Resistance Army,(NRA) now the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces, (UPDF).

40 years ago on the 5th Feb 1981 41 patriots started journey to attack Kabamba barracks. All the planning and preparation were done in various parts of Kampala and Wakiso, and there after commenced the journey through Greater Masaka. The 6th of February 1981 signalled the commencement of a determined resistance in the form of a popular and protracted struggle by a people against the anti – people regime. Tarehe SIta celebrations, therefore, mark and recognise the heroism and gallantry exhibited by those forty one patriots, who made the foundation upon which the UPDF rests today, as a peoples’ army, and a vanguard force in the struggle to achieve social economic transformation.

Celebrating Tarehe Sita is also a noble recognition of the sacrifices made by thousands of gallant men and women both in combat and non-combat that provided enormous support in both human and material resources – many of them paying the ultimate price of shedding their blood. It is also a recognition of those whose contributions made Uganda a better country to live in through history. This year’s theme Celebrating UPDF AT 40: fruits of a fulfilled partnership between the people and their army – At 40 years the UPDF has continued good collaboration between the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force and the people. This 40th birthday theme rhymes well with Masaka region and KMP in particular where both preparations for the struggle and decisive battles for the victory were conducted.

To mark Tarehe Sita, UPDF carries out civil military activities in the days preceding the national celebrations, symbolising the bond between the army and the people. And this being the 40th anniversary the UPDF will start T6 celebrations much earlier in order to have the CIMIC activities completed in time and handed over but to also have more time educating and mobilising the People in the regions, while observing Covid -19 SOPs to avoid crowds.
On account of regional rotation basis, the Defense Forces CIMIC activities and the 40th Tarehe Sita 2021 will be held in Greater Masaka Region and Kampala Metropolitan Area (KMP) covering the Districts of Masaka, Kalungu, Lwengo, Bukomansimbi, Kalangala, Masaka City. In KMP all the Five Divisions of Kampala Captial City Authority and the Municipalities of Kiira and Nansana in Wakiso District.

The choice of greater Masaka was based on the historical significance of having been a corridor and launching base for the liberation struggles against the undemocratic regimes of 1970s/80s. The anti-Amin struggle both in 1972/73 and 1978/79 were largely conducted through the greater Masaka region. Indeed the Kikosi Maalum alongside the Tanzanian Forces moved through Masaka Axis, while FRONASA which was on the western Axis occasionally re-enforced the war effort in the same region. Directly linked to Tarehe Sita Greater Masaka was the corridor through which the 41 patriots under the leadership YK Museveni traversed on 5th Feb 1981 before the actual attack on Kabamba Barracks on the 6th of Feb. In this regard Greater Masaka qualifies to be the launch Pad for Tarehe Sita. In the final stages of the protracted peoples warfare in 1985, Greater Masaka became home to the final decisive battles such as:- Siege of Masaka Barracks, The Lwengo operations and the Famous Katonga Battles that culminated in the Defeat of the UNLA and allied Forces before Kampala fell on 26th Jan 1986. Additionally Masaka as region has never hosted the rotational regional Tarehe Sita events. Its therefore Justified to celebrate the 40th anniversary of founding of the people’s army in Greater Masaka.

Similarly Parts of KMP are chosen because the Launch of the protracted people’s war in 1981 was planned and Commenced from the capital City. However, the UPDF at 40 is desirous of sharing with the under privileged communities of Kampala and Wakiso. The choice is also intended to strengthen foundation security ahead of 2021 General Elections.

With the support of ordinary people, the NRA registered success after success; culminating in the final defeat of the dictatorships hitherto molesting the people they were meant to lead towards prosperity. The January 1986 take-over of government by the NRM/A heralded a fundamental change that has provided a conducive political climate for democratic institutions to thrive and economic transformation to occur. An example is the formation of the 1995 Constitution under which the NRA became the UPDF – a notch higher than just resisting poor leadership and explicitly underscoring its mandate to defend the people of Uganda as a non-partisan force of national character, professional, productive and subordinate to civilian authority.

The UPDF has used the opportunity of the Defence Forces CIMIC activities to renew commitment to its raison d’être – to defend and protect the people and the country – through interacting with the public, including veterans who added their grain of sand to the political freedom enjoyed today across the country. The interaction has further cemented the harmony, compatibility and interdependence between the Defence Forces and the civilian population of Uganda. Key highlights of the 40th anniversary CIMIC activities will include symbolic construction and renovation of School and Health facilities by the UPDF Engineers Brigade, Medical Camps and Public Health Campanies by the UPDF Medical services, Environmental programmes through extensive Tree planting, with a target of over 5 million trees to be planted country wide, sanitation and cleaning in suburbs of Kampala and Wakiso. Another highlight during the National Launch of Tarehe Sita will be a ground breaking function for the building of the first National Military Museum at Katonga.

It is worth noting that the UPDF has grown to the extent of becoming an ‘Army without Borders’. Its constructive role in strenuous peace support missions such as in Somalia and other fraternal countries, is an open book for everyone to read.

The UPDF salutes all Ugandans for the unwavering support since the inception days of the struggle to date; even when it meant paying the ultimate price. The sacrifices have not been in vain. Let us consolidate the partnership in monitoring National stability and continued prosperity.