The Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs Jacob Oboth-Oboth announced that this year’s 44th Tarehe Sita Anniversary celebrations will take place in the Greater Masaka region.
Speaking during a consultative meeting on January 8, 2025, with members of parliament from the region at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs headquarters in Mbuya, Hon Oboth-Oboth expressed gratitude to the people of Masaka for their strategic partnership with the UPDF.
“I want to congratulate the people of Greater Masaka for being soThe lucky to be chosen for this year’s celebration. You may not know how many requests this Ministry receives every year. It takes the effort of the Ministry and the army together to give back to the community, “ Hon. Oboth-Oboth said.
He highlighted that Tarehe Sita, which commemorates the launch of the National Resistance Army’s (NRA) liberation struggle on February 6, 1981, is a unique celebration.
“It is the only government initiative which gives back without formalities, involving itself in tangible projects that People can see, however small,” he added.
Lwemiyaga County MP, Theodore Ssekikubo also implored his pride in the celebrations being hosted in the Greater Masaka sub-region.
“We are lucky that this year’s celebrations are taking place in the Masaka sub-region. We are proud to be associated with the 6th of February, the launch of the liberation of our country, Uganda,” he said.
Hon Ssekikubo applauded the UPDF’s pre-celebration activities in the region, which include the construction of school structures and the organization of free medical services.
“This makes it most relevant when people benefit directly from the UPDF and share in the achievements of the liberation of this country,” he stated.
The Chief of Joint Staff, Maj Gen Jack Bakasumba, emphasized the historical significance of the Tarehe Sita celebrations.
“Every February 6, commencing from 1981, the Army and the people of Uganda join hands during the Defence Forces Week to engage in activities aimed at cementing the strategic relationship that exists between the population and the defense forces,” Maj Gen Bakasumba said.
He mentioned Masaka’s pivotal role in Uganda’s history which acted as a launch pad of the decisive battles before the fall of Kampala.
Maj Gen Bakasumba further underscored the importance of remembering sacrifices made by the Ugandans and Tanzanians’ contribution to the liberation struggle.
The celebrations will be held under the theme: Celebration Pan-African Solidarity and the Peoples Sacrifice in Struggle for Freedom and Democracy for Socio-economic Transformation making yet another opportunity for the government and the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) to give back to the community.
The activities will be held in the districts of Bukomansimbi, Kalangala, Kalungu, Kyotera, Lyantonde, Masaka, Masaka City, Rakai, Sembabule anc culminate in Kyotera district on February 6, 2025, with a beeline of activities lined up to honor the day which is rotationally hosted in different regions.
