The Vice President, Maj. (Rtd.) Jessica Alupo, has today launched the commencement of activities for Army Week and celebrations for the 44th Tarehe Sita Anniversary at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs headquarters, Mbuya.
In her address, Alupo reflected on the historical significance of February 6, 1981, describing it as a defining moment in Uganda’s history.
She said that day marked the beginning of Uganda’s liberation struggle under the leadership of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, culminating in the formation of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF).
“February 6, 1981, was a watershed moment in our country’s history, shaping its trajectory toward peace, security, stability, freedom, democracy, and socio-economic transformation,” she said.
Alupo cited renowned philosopher Frantz Fanon, whose works inspired President Museveni’s undergraduate thesis at the University of Dar es Salaam. “Each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfil it, or betray it,” she quoted.
She commended the UPDF for its unwavering commitment to stability and national development, noting that the army has, over the years, become one of the most trusted institutions in Uganda.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women who risked their lives to launch the pro-people struggle for liberation,” she added.
The Vice President highlighted the significance of hosting this year’s Tarehe Sita celebrations in the Greater Masaka sub-region, saying, “Masaka played a crucial role in the liberation struggle, providing support to the National Resistance Army (NRA) fighters during their resistance against bad leadership.”
She said it is important for us to reflect on the historical significance of the Greater Masaka region in the liberation of our country.
“The people of Masaka provided support to FRONASA, Kikosi Maalum, and NRA during the people’s armed resistance to the bad leadership of the Idi Amin and Milton Obote years of ruin and misrule,” she said.
However, Alupo saluted the UPDF leadership as well as the men and women across the rank and file of the military for the tremendous patriotic duty, service, and sacrifice that they continue to make in our country’s development and stability.
“Today, the UPDF is a highly regarded military on the African continent and beyond, thanks to our peacekeeping missions, which, by the way, are driven by a genuine sense of pan-Africanism and our dear leader’s commitment to the liberation of the African people since February 6, 1981, and before that,” the vice president, also a woman MP for Katakwi, said.
She commended the UPDF’s continued contributions beyond security, citing the work of the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) in business, infrastructure, and agriculture. She lauded the UPDF Engineering Brigade for its role in national projects such as the renovation of Mandela National Stadium and construction efforts in the health and education sectors.
“Despite limited resources, the UPDF has achieved remarkable success. Your efficiency in utilising available funds should be a lesson to bureaucrats in government ministries, departments, and agencies,” she said.
The Vice President acknowledged the contribution of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) in boosting agricultural productivity, particularly in coffee production in Greater Masaka. She extended special appreciation to Gen. (Rtd.) Salim Saleh for his leadership in the program and urged continued collaboration to enhance national development.
On welfare improvements for security forces, Alupo thanked President Museveni for his guidance and urged Parliament’s Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs to remain supportive of efforts to enhance the welfare of UPDF personnel.
“In a very special way, allow me to thank the president’s family, especially Mama, the First Lady, and their dear children, including our current Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhozi Kainerugaba, for being a support system for Mzee’s work in his tireless efforts and sacrifices to liberate and serve the people of Uganda and Africa,” she said.
Alupo added that a supportive family is essential for any revolutionary’s success and thanked Mama for her commitment to the cause and for supporting Mzee from 1981 and even before Tarehe Sita, when he sacrificed for our country to dislodge bad leadership of the 1970s and 1980s.
The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Jacob Markson Oboth, hailed the UPDF’s role in rescuing Uganda from political stagnation and economic collapse.
“Before 1986, governance was based on cultural, religious, ethnic, and tribal interests rather than national unity. Today, Uganda stands tall as a beacon of hope and stability,” Oboth said.
He highlighted the NRM government’s role in promoting women in leadership, noting that Uganda has had two female vice presidents since 1986. “Before the NRM, there were no female vice presidents. Today, we have female MPs, ministers, a speaker, and a prime minister. We must thank President Museveni for this progress,” he said.
The Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Sam Okiding, emphasised the UPDF’s role in securing Uganda and the region.
“The 41 soldiers, of whom 27 were armed, led by President Museveni, shaped the destiny of this country. Their sacrifice brought stability and economic growth,” he said.
Using a metaphor, Lt Gen Okiding compared Uganda before 1986 to a patient in an intensive care unit. “In an ICU, doctors must be patient and precise. Similarly, Uganda needed patience, resilience, and intelligence to recover,” he noted.
He urged Ugandans to educate the youth about the country’s history and the sacrifices made to secure peace.
“Some young people think our achievements happened by chance. We must teach them that stability and development were hard-earned,” he said.
Lt Gen Okiding stressed that the UPDF remains committed to safeguarding Uganda. “On behalf of the CDF and the UPDF family, I pledge that we will protect and preserve Uganda’s peace and stability at all costs.”
Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) Phinehas Manoni Katirima, the keynote speaker, reflecting on Uganda’s political history, highlighted the challenges of bad governance and the legacy of a colonial army, which led to the rise of multiple liberation movements.
He noted that since 1986, Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has grown over 13 times, reaching USD 48.29 billion by the end of 2023, attributing this progress to the leadership of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.
Tracing the nation’s turbulent past, Maj. Gen. Katirima recounted the oppressive regimes of the 1960s and 1970s, from the rule of Milton Obote to the military dictatorship of Idi Amin, which resulted in the deaths of an estimated 500,000 Ugandans.
He acknowledged the role of the Tanzanian army and various liberation forces, including FRONASA under President Museveni, in ousting Amin in 1979.
He recounted how the National Resistance Army (NRA) waged a five-year guerrilla war against Obote’s government, culminating in the NRA’s victory and capture of power on January 26, 1986.
The UPDF, he asserted, has since maintained peace, security, and stability, earning national and international recognition for its discipline and professionalism.
Maj. Gen. Henry Masiko, the Joint Staff Political Commissar, emphasised that the theme was deliberately chosen to consolidate the achievements of the people’s revolution in the region, the pivotal role played by the people of the United Republic of Tanzania, and the unique contribution of Mzee Mwalimu Julius Nyerere to the struggle.
He mentioned that various activities as part of Defence Forces Week would be carried out in Greater Masaka, across all UPDF formations and units nationwide, as well as in all missions abroad.
The event marks the start of nationwide activities leading up to the grand celebrations on February 6 in Greater Masaka, under the theme “Celebrating Pan-African Solidarity and the People’s Sacrifices in the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy for Socio-Economic Transformation.”
Present were ministers, members of Parliament, former national leaders, permanent secretaries, Chief of Joint Staff Maj Gen Jack Bakasumba, service commanders and service chiefs, joint staff, generals and senior officers, MODVA staff, senior government officials and presidential advisors, religious leaders, among others.
