As the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) gears up for the 43rd Tarehe Sita, Ugandans should be proud and celebrate the UPDF for being a force that answers to the people of Uganda and maintains professionalism while putting the country’s security, national sovereignty, and stability in the region as its top priorities.

The 43rd Tarehe Sita will be celebrated this year at Busesa in Bugweri district, Busoga Sub-Region, by the UPDF. Every year on February 6th, UPDF celebrates Tarehe Sita, which translates to “the sixth day” in Kiswahili.

This day honours the five years of the National Resistance Army’s (NRA) Prolonged Guerrilla Resistance, which was led by President Yoweri Museveni from 1981 to 1986.

Annually, the force embarks on charity activities across the country in the week leading to the main celebrations. UPDF officials have participated in medical camps, cleaning activities, and tree-planting campaigns, as well as the construction and renovation of facilities in the regions.

The UPDF, through its Engineering Brigade, is vital to the nation’s growth since it engages in a range of initiatives, including building projects, combat engineer training programmes, and civil-military cooperation. The Engineering Brigade’s participation highlights the significance of the Brigade in UPDF operations and its role in a range of military and civilian endeavors.

UPDF, through the Engineering Brigade, has for years held weeks-long activities and carried out several programmes as a way of giving back to the communities.

The most recent is their incredible work at Entebbe International Airport in preparation for the just concluded Non-Aligned Movments (NAM) and G77+China summits and the construction of roads in the different parts of the country.

Thomas Tayebwa, the Deputy Speaker in the Parliament of Uganda, took to his X account and expressed his gratitude towards the UPDF Engineering Brigade for their incredible work at Entebbe International Airport, which showcased the work of the UPDF beyond the battlefield.

“What’s even more amazing is that they completed the job for a fraction of the cost that private contractors were asking for, and they finished it on time. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), which has equally done a magnificent job of building a car manufacturing plant for Kiira Motors in Jinja. These two UPDF-owned companies can tackle large-scale government projects, including important road developments, resulting in significant cost savings for the country,” Tayebwa said.

Dr. Medard Bitekyerezo, a Ugandan medical doctor and legislator in the Parliament of Uganda, representing Mbarara Municipality, said, “These army men are amazing. They don’t move in circles! Advocate for them to take on the repair of the roads in Kampala. You will be amused in a short time.”

According to General Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, UPDF Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Tarehe Sita has been celebrated in all regions of Uganda on a rotational basis, and this year, it’s Bugweri District’s turn to host.

He further noted that this year’s Tarehe Sita will be celebrated under the theme “Coming Together is the Beginning, Staying Together is Progress, and Working Together is Success,” celebrating the people’s struggle for unity, security, and peace.”

“The celebrations are aimed at streamlining public awareness to remember those Ugandan patriots who sacrificed their lives to liberate Uganda,” General Mbadi added.

Additionally, Gen. Mbadi stated that during this year’s Tarehe Sita celebrations, UPDF will run programmes to raise awareness for the benefit of local communities.

He listed these tasks as refocusing communities on prioritizing the development agenda through wealth generation, teaching people patriotism, and ideological orientation.

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces Engineers Brigade has renovated Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, and constructed health facility sites, among others. The National Enterprise Corporation, which was established in 1989 by an Act of Parliament to serve as a commercial arm of the Ministry of Defence Forces and Veteran Affairs, produces goods and services that are beneficial to the Defence Forces and the general public.