Uganda’s security forces have kicked off activities to mark the 45th Tarehe Sita anniversary with a community general cleaning exercise in Nakawa Division.
Bugolobi Market and parts of Kasokoso were the first beneficiaries as troops from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Uganda Prisons Service and Uganda Police Force cleared trenches, cleaned roads and collected waste.
The Tarehe Sita commemorations, held annually ahead of 6 February, celebrate the UPDF’s origins and honour the sacrifices made during the liberation struggle between 1981 and 1986. This year’s national celebrations will be held in the Greater Kigezi region.
Speaking during the launch, Brig Abdul Rugumayo, the deputy chief of defence intelligence and security, noted that the UPDF had reason to celebrate, citing nearly four decades of relative stability in Uganda while neighbouring countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan and South Sudan continue to grapple with conflict. Many of their citizens, he said, have sought refuge in Uganda because of this stability.
Rugumayo said the cleaning exercise was part of giving back to communities that have supported the army over the years, adding that hygiene remains an important element of the UPDF’s civil–military cooperation initiatives.
He also warned undisciplined officers who harass civilians, stressing that the force will continue taking action against errant personnel in accordance with the law.
Residents in Nakawa, particularly in Kasokoso and Bugolobi, welcomed the exercise. Ali Mwanda, the LC1 chairperson of Kasokoso, praised the UPDF and sister security agencies for extending the cleaning drive to their area, calling it a commendable gesture.
He, however, complained about the shortage of garbage trucks, which he said contributes to poor sanitation in the community.
